The UTD Mercury

UTD's plan to offer a residence hall and dining facility to freshmen has been pushed back from 2008 to 2009.

Construction is set to finish by Spring 2009. Fall 2009 is the target date for the first group of freshmen to move in to the facility.

The project has been delayed to allow more time to decide what features to include in the design, according to Matthew Grief, director of housing operations.

Preliminary design sketches have been completed, but the plan awaits approval from the UT System Board of Regents.

Tentative plans include space for almost 400 students in the dormitory, Grief said, with each of four floors accommodating about 96 students. Each occupant could have his or her own living space, while each unit could include a common dining area, living area and bathroom with individual sinks for each resident.

"It's basically an apartment without a kitchen," Grief said.

Although the project timeline has been extended, the overall price for construction is not expected to change, because it is still in the design phase, according to Grief.

The cost of living in the dormitory has not yet been established.

"Best guess, students can expect to pay slightly more than they would in Waterview," Grief said.

However, costs such as electricity, sewage and water will not be billed to residents. Also, the dorms will be fully furnished, eliminating another potential expense for new students.

Carter & Burgess, Inc., a Fort Worth-based architecture and engineering firm, has been selected to design the dormitory and dining facility. Carter & Burgess has previously contracted with the University of Texas at Tyler and the University of Texas at Austin.

Grief said construction is slated to begin in December 2007 or January 2008.

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