DOVER, Del., Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — University Housing Solutions (UHS) a Delaware development firm focused on higher-education-related projects, has begun development of a student-focused residential campus on 30 acres of land it owns adjacent to Delaware State University (DSU) in Dover.
During its recent efforts for a Public Private Partnership development for student housing with DSU, UHS learned of an immediate, urgent need for student housing, that had not been previously anticipated.
To accommodate this urgent need, UHS plans to immediately build a 500-bed student residential development, with the ability to add an additional 1,500 beds. The UHS project will include a food court and convenient retail space. With the only suitable property currently available on or contiguous to the main campus, UHS will address the current student housing shortage through an expedited approval, design and construction effort, and have sufficient remaining land to provide for future student housing needs within a master-planned, student-oriented residential campus.
University Housing Solutions DSU Convocation Center. Rendering by Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site, courtesy of University Housing Solutions
A more comprehensive proposal that included construction of a new Convocation and Athletic Center, an indoor track, academic, office and convention space was previously offered to DSU. That proposal has not yet been embraced by DSU. UHS remains hopeful that DSU will join forces to build the more expansive project, to benefit the entire DSU and Dover Community.
Martin Kimmel, principal of Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site, is leading the effort for UHS. Martin describes the effort as “a serious attempt to bring the highest value to the Delaware State University Community, ensuring a sustainable amount of student housing in support of current needs and future growth. We also envision these additional athletic, convention and exhibition spaces as monumental assets vital to the future of the City of Dover, Kent County, and the State of Delaware.”
Martin added that “we remain interested in maintaining a cooperative relationship with DSU and would embrace their renewed interest in our concept, which represents a Win-Win for all parties.”
The UHS project team is led by:
- Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site – planning, design and construction administration. Kimmel Bogrette has completed over $1 Billion of built higher education and municipal projects in DE/PA/NJ.
- Skanska USA – construction. Skanska is the 3rd largest building contractor in the U.S.
- Asset Campus Housing – management, maintenance, and operations. Asset Campus Housing is the largest privately owned manager of student housing.
