Future Bell Hall residents ready for upcoming move

The $6.5 million renovation of Bell Hall that began in the spring of 2005 is finally complete, except for a few minor finishing touches (such as plasma televisions in the basement). Students will begin moving in Friday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m., said Dr. Paul Jahr, director of University Housing.
“All of the feedback we’ve been getting from the tours has been extremely positive,” said Jahr. “Especially from people who lived there before the renovation.”  
Geoffrey Carroll, a 2004 resident, remembers what the building was like before renovations.
“That place was a dump,” Carroll said. “I remember exposed piping, coil heaters and jailhouse bathrooms.”
The Bell Hall of 2006 features new carpet, paint, trim, elevators, drywall and furniture. The bathrooms have been completely refinished and many feature twin sinks, large showers and separate private toilet rooms. On the bottom level there is now a patio, a game room, with brand new pool tables, and a full kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances. Each floor has laundry rooms and each resident’s room has new lighting fixtures and heating/air units. There is even an Internet lounge on the top floor adjacent to the front balcony.
“I’m definitely excited about living here,” said freshman Courtney Patterson. “It’s nicer than Bobcat and I don’t have to take the shuttle.”
The best thing about Bell Hall has always been its location on campus. Residents frequently stumble out the front door a mere five minutes before class time and still get there early. Even when Bell wasn’t so nice, it still had its own unique charm, which seems to have survived the demolition.
“It’s a historic building downtown and it’s 30 feet from A&S,” said James Odom, tour guide and future resident assistant. “You can’t beat it.”
Tours of the new facility are open now to future residents, and students who are interested can contact University Housing at 445-5160.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 22 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry