A new residence hall on the south side of campus is Oregon State University’s latest addition. 

According to OSU’s Active Capital Project website, the construction of the new residence hall supports University Housing and Dining Services’ goal of increasing campus housing from 5,000 beds to 7,500 beds over a 10-year period. 

“This new residence hall is the first step in a long-term plan to expand and modernize on-campus housing,” wrote Rob Odom, vice president for University Relations and Marketing. “The university’s overall goal is to increase the percentage of Corvallis campus students housed on campus from the current 22 percent to 30 percent.” 

Increasing housing at OSU also aligns with the City Council’s goal of increasing housing of all types in Corvallis. It also aligns with new state mandates to boost housing supply, according to Patrick Rollins, the City of Corvallis’ public information officer.

According to Odom, while the design for the hall is being finalized, the building is set to have approximately 350 rooms and 675 beds. 

UHDS intends to use the typical residence hall application and placement process for this facility and it will be intended primarily for first and second year students.

Aside from standard residence hall amenities, the new hall will include bathrooms with enhanced privacy. Odom said: “Current plans also include both a common kitchen and an allergy-friendly kitchen that will be available to students with a documented need for that space.”

As previously reported in the Barometer, the new residence hall will be located south of Bloss Hall. The construction site was set up around mid-July and excavation will begin in mid-August. 

To account for the parking spaces lost to the construction, the project includes the renovation and expansion of the parking lot at SW 17th Street and SW A Avenue, according to Odom. 

According to Odom, the construction timeline for this building has not yet been established. However, OSU’s Active Capital Project website states that construction is expected to end by August 2027. 

The city has been working closely with the university according to Odom, a statement echoed by Rollins.  

“We’re glad to see the project getting built as planned,” Rollins wrote in an email. “We look forward to welcoming the new residents.”