Published: Apr 27, 2005
Ground was broken during an April 25 ceremony for Kennedy Place, an 11-story
building to be located on the southwest corner of Hyde Park Avenue and Kennedy
Boulevard, just across from the University entrance.
A broad consortium
of financial, business and University interests is expected to deliver a new
182-bed, estimated $15.6-million residence hall to The University of Tampa
campus in July 2006.
The unique arrangement includes the developer,
Andrew L. Arena of the Anthony Development Group Inc.; the Beck Group, which
will construct the building; the Collegiate Housing Foundation, as lessor; and
the University, as lessee.
The Collegiate Housing Foundation will lease
the building to the University for 30 years, then hand over ownership to the
University. The building is expected to have a useful life of 70 or more
years.
“It sounds like a complicated arrangement, but everybody wins,”
said Arena. “We wanted to build a building, but parking was limited. The
University has parking, and needed more residence hall space,” added Arena, who
also credits his partner, Jerry Ciccone, and architect Eric Kreher with devising
the original proposal to the University.
“This has been a total team
effort,” Arena added. “The property owner, Hratch Kaprielian, was great to work
with. Unlike most transactions, Mr. Kaprielian had to pay all upfront cost
associated with our getting everybody onboard, which included rezoning and
architectural drawings complete enough to have Beck give us a good construction
budget. Financing is being arranged by Northmarq Capital and funded by Legg
Mason Wood Walker.”
University President Ronald L. Vaughn said he was
pleased with the outcome, adding, “The new building comes at a time when we are
in need of additional residence hall space to satisfy demand from our expanding
student base.”
Kreher had some unusual design challenges in developing
the plan for the new building. The building footprint is located on the former
site of the Witledge Inn, an aging wooden structure that was demolished in
mid-April to make room for the new building. In addition, a large "grand oak"
tree sits on the edge of the property bordering Kennedy Boulevard, and had to be
protected.
Kennedy Place will be 11 stories high, and will encompass 58,000
square feet. It will include 122 single apartments and 30 double units; each
studio apartment with private bedroom, dedicated kitchen and bathroom. The
residence hall also will have a central laundry facility, card access to the
building, a large community room with exterior seating, and a small flower
garden.
University officials expect the residence will be popular with
upperclassmen and graduate students, and unlike other campus residence halls, it
will operate year-round.
Though the facility will be privately owned, the
University will be responsible for facility and housing management. A Residence
Life staff member will occupy an apartment within the building.
The
facility will be ready for occupancy in August 2006, in time for fall classes.