The West Kentucky University (WKU) Board of Regents has authorized an innovative new student housing model to replace the university’s oldest dorms.
The transformational plan will be part of a public-private partnership (P3) struck between the university and chosen developers. WKU plans to release a request for bids in the summer, with a due date slated for fall 2025. Once a developer is selected, construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
Student housing has faced increasing challenges due to overall age or disrepair, posing infrastructure issues rampant throughout the university’s facilities. Recently, WKU was forced to close two of its newest dorms for the upcoming academic year for repair and renovations, while a third will be entirely demolished.
The treatment of these existing dorms is the first phase of the university’s three-phase plan to transform student housing. The second phase will prioritize replacing two halls with new buildings on the same site, totaling 1,000 beds. These structures will comprise the First Year Village.
The final phase will center around constructing an upperclassman village, providing an additional 1,400 beds. The university plans to remove three halls to make room for the new development.
University officials stated that the long-term vision would see all community housing options on campus eliminated and replaced with hotel-, suite- and pod-style housing. By taking a more involved role in addressing building code compliance and student expectations, WKU intends to bolster the university as a competitively viable choice when compared to other modernized university campuses.
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