The University of Tennessee at Martin will soon part with a building that has been on the campus for more than 35 years.

In 1966, Austin Peay dormitory opened as a way to house the students that attended UT Martin as the campus was expanding. Austin Peay was built with simplicity in mind. Since it was built before personal computers, dorm refrigerators, PlayStations and everything else students bring to campus each year, all the rooms are equipped with only one double outlet per side. What used to accommodate students soon became outdated as technology began advancing.

“When the dorm first opened, students were happy to share a room with only one other person and to have a bathroom right there in the suite. The new facility will be equipped with enough room to facilitate all the electronic equipment that student bring to campus,” said Director of Housing Earl Wright.

But times have changed. Students have been asking the Housing Office to update the dorms. Most students have requested private rooms and for there to be a kitchen in each suite, like the off campus apartments but without having to leave campus. After about a two year survey process which included input from students, Housing has decided that Austin Peay will be the first of the Y-dorms to be demolished and to have a new dorm built in its place. This entire venture from beginning to end will cost an estimated $14 million.

In summer 2001, the Anderson-Strickler Housing Firm was contacted to study the buildings. While all four Y-dorms were in good conditions, they were extremely outdated. Remodeling was a possible alternative but it would have cost as much to remodel as it would have to just rebuild.

While the contractors are not yet known, do not look for any demolishing before spring. Crews are going in and salvaging as much as possible to use in the remaining dorms. There are also asbestos checks and other evaluations occurring by an engineering team before the process can even begin.

The entire renovation process of Austin Peay is expected to take a couple of years. While it is still not certain about who will get first priority when applying for housing, the dorm will not open until fall 2005.

“The university is phasing out the Y-dorms over the next few years. The purpose of this is to better accommodate the needs of the students. Each apartment style suite will be 1200-square feet of living capacity. There have been architectural firms selected, but we are still in the negotiating process,” said Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Al Hooten.

There are minor conflictions with the surrounding area.

Housing expects that Jeffress Street, the street that runs alongside the dorm, will only be closed the day that the demolition takes place. Construction crews will use the parking lot directly behind the dorm for equipment, so that parking lot will be closed. Alternative parking will be located by the Elam Center.

It has been recommended that the university use one contractor to do both the demolishing and building of the new structures.

“Our intent is to build Austin Peay in a cost effective way and in a style that students will like and that will be advantageous towards recruiting” said Chancellor Nick Dunagan. The office of housing will inform the campus as updates become available.

The university is expecting for the new dorms to be opened no sooner than fall 2007.