Tennessee State University to add $75.3 million student housing development

Tennessee State University is scheduled to begin construction in January on the first new student housing on the Nashville campus in 23 years.

The university says the $75.3 million, six-story, 700-bed facility will be constructed between Eppse Hall and the Performing Arts Center on the main campus. The housing is part of a number of planned and ongoing construction projects on campus, including a new Health Sciences Building.

Officials believe the new residence halls and academic building will play a major role in recruitment efforts.

“The university is undergoing a renaissance of sorts," University President Glenda Glover says. "It began with our new, higher admission standards, and continues with the new construction of the residence halls and Health Sciences Building for prospective students to enjoy and reap the benefits."

Curtis Johnson, chief of staff and associate vice president for administration, says construction of the residence halls will take18 to 20 months.

The building will have a high-tech security infrastructure that gives exclusive access to occupants. Outsiders coming in to use dining facilities on the first floor will not be able to enter living areas.

“Security design in this facility will include elevator lobbies, meaning that occupants will have access through their IDs to be able to access the floor you live on. There will be cameras and monitoring equipment throughout the facility,” Johnson said.

Frank Stevenson, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, says the new residential space will ease the growing demand for student campus housing.

‘This will be a state-of-the-art facility that creates a more dynamic student experience,” Stevenson said. “We are tremendously excited about the progress.”

The new residence facility will include an assortment of room types, four dining concepts, a fitness facility, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, a spa concept in some bathrooms, and laundry rooms.