By Jefferson Walker
The groundbreaking of a new residence hall at Florida A&M University today placed new expectations for the campus’ development as it moves forward.
Set to house 700 students and expected to be completed by the fall of 2025, it marks a significant step in the development of the campus and the future of FAMU. The construction is on the corner of S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and W Osceola St. FAMU is advising caution in the area as students it is a heavy foot traffic area, and construction may cause limited visibility on the corner.
The new construction is another phase in the multipart transformation called “Phase 1B” in the larger plan to replace the old dormitories. Phase 1A (later named FAMU Towers) was completed in August 2020. The new residence hall brings the overall project about halfway complete. 700-bed units are complete, 700-bed units are in progress, and approximately 2,600-bed units are pending.
The area being transformed previously served as a parking lot, known as the gravel. FAMU is continuing its commitment to modernizing and improving its students’ living conditions and the campus’s future. University department heads, public officials, and Trustees were in attendance to witness the new era of construction.
“Today is another great chapter in FAMU’s history,” said Trustee Chair Kristin Harper. “Students will make memories, lifelong friends, graduate, and go into the world and strike like rattlers do.”
The groundbreaking of a new residence hall at Florida A&M University (FAMU) represents more than just the expansion of physical infrastructure; it symbolizes a pivotal advancement in the university’s journey toward enhancing student life, modernizing the campus, and educational excellence. The State of Florida CEO & Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, Raymond Rodrigues, was present to witness the ceremony and show his support.
“This is a very big deal for FAMU,” said Chancellor Rodrigues. Every study that’s been done shows that students who reside on campus are more likely to be academically successful. The more housing that FAMU has to reach their target, the more they place their students in places to ultimately be successful.”
After the new construction is complete in 2025, there will be a total of 3,300 beds on campus, including the residence halls outside of the multiphase transformation. Anticipation is high from students and the resident hall assistants (RHA’s) are sure this will make FAMU even more attractive to incoming students.
“To a potential new student, having new amenities and new housing makes the school more interesting to see,” said Chloe Denis, Miss RHA.
Moving forward, the university will continue its investments in such transformative projects. This will ensure that each advancement remains aligned with the needs and aspirations of its student body. With this development, FAMU not only addresses the current demands for more housing but will also strategically position the university ahead of competing HBCUs for incoming students. This project symbolizes hope, transformation, and progress for FAMU as the university becomes ever more integral to its community and the academic world.
