The University of Northern Iowa has received permission from the Iowa Board of Regents to tear down Campbell Hall, a former residence hall on the Cedar Falls campus that has been unoccupied for three years.
The university also announced in a news release that the Regents have approved Northern Iowa's plan to acquire The Quarters apartment complex adjacent to campus. The complex has 11 buildings that can accommodate up to 480 residents as well as a pool and clubhouse, a basketball court and a sand volleyball area.
Campbell Hall had the capacity to house 583 students. Since it has been vacant, it has accrued an estimated $27.1 million in deferred maintenance. Built in the 1950s, it was the only Northern Iowa residence hall without a fire sprinkler system. It was plagued by inadequate building systems, a lack of accessible restrooms and living spaces, and no passenger elevator.
The university will acquire The Quarters for $21.2 million with Dormitory Revenue Bonds.
"This purchase will provide even more of our students with the type of housing experience they are seeking, while allowing them to live in close proximity to the rest of our UNI campus community and the services they access daily," said University Presdient Mark Nook.
The university says its research has determined that students who live on campus typically achieve higher grade point averages and graduate at higher rates than those who do not.
As for Campbell Hall, the university intends to demolish the building and return the footprint to greenspace. The estimated $3.8 million cost of the demolition would be funded from Housing & Dining sources.
