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Throughout 2024, Syracuse University has undertaken and completed several new residence hall projects. As the class of second-year students settle into the newly-established Orange and Milton Halls, SU officials are also finalizing plans to construct two additional dormitories.

This year, the former Marion and Kimmel Halls — constructed in 1954 and 1962, respectively — sit vacant as the university evaluates plans to build a single, modern dormitory on the lot where they stand. SU has also initiated efforts to prepare construction on a proposed 703-bedroom student residence hall on the 700 block of Ostrom Avenue.

The dorm construction plans and other on-campus renovation projects are part of SU’s Campus Framework, a 20-year guide for SU’s physical campus development.

Chancellor Kent Syverud, who has spearheaded the Campus Framework initiative since his arrival in 2014, has previously stated that the new dorms aim to bring more students to North Campus. The decision to phase out South Campus came after a three-year university housing review, completed in March 2024.

The Daily Orange has broken down some of SU’s upcoming dorm additions.

Orange Hall

Orange Hall, which formerly held The Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, was converted to a second-year residence hall over the summer. Around 400 students moved into the dorm this fall.

Previously, the building housed second-year students while still operating as a hotel for outside guests. Students were first placed in the former Sheraton in fall 2022 after an unexpected number of freshmen accepted admission offers, with about 400 additional students.

The conversion of Orange Hall was first announced November 2023, and renovations began after the spring 2024 commencement. The building features open double rooms with in-unit bathroom facilities.

Orange Hall contains the campus’s sixth dining hall, Orange Dining Center. The dining hall was first announced in mid-July, and is open to all students. Like other similar facilities on campus, the new dining hall accepts unlimited meal plans, block meal plans, dining dollars and ‘CUSE cash, as well as credit and debit cards.

Milton Hall

Formerly known as The Marshall and 727 S. Crouse Ave., Milton Hall — a former apartment complex — was purchased by the university in July 2021 for $70 million. Milton Hall also provides housing for second-year students, fulfilling SU’s two-year on-campus living requirement.

Milton Hall is named after Laura and Jack Milton, two SU alumni and the owners of Milton CAT construction supplier. SU named the residence hall after receiving a “transformational estate gift” from the couple, according to a July 2024 SU News release.

The closest dining hall for students living in Milton Hall is Orange Dining Center. Milton Hall features studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments. The apartments also include full kitchens and individual bathrooms in each unit. Amenities include a fitness center, laundry facilities, study rooms and recreational areas.

Proposed Ostrom Avenue dorm

SU also has a proposed 703-bedroom, 4-to-6 story residence hall on the 700 block of Ostrom Avenue. The building is set to have five wings, with one having access to Comstock Avenue, according to plans presented during a July 29 Syracuse City Planning Commission meeting.

“This ambitious plan will provide our students with the living environments they expect that will allow them to succeed and thrive,” Syverud said in February.

SU had initially planned to demolish 727 Comstock Ave., a 119-year-old former fraternity house that the university purchased for $3.14 million in 2022, and use the lot for the five-story Comstock wing of the proposed residence hall.

Amid an ongoing debate between the university and local city officials regarding the plans, the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board and City Planning Commission both voted in favor of designating the property as a local protected site. If designated, SU would have to go through a multi-step review process to be considered for demolition, potentially delaying the university’s plan to begin construction this year.

The Syracuse City Common Council, which gets final say on the 727 Comstock Ave. designation proceedings, will have its next opportunity to vote on the matter during its upcoming Sept. 3 meeting — which will be held at 1 p.m. in the Common Council chambers.

Kimmel and Marion

On Feb. 26, 2024, Syrverud also announced plans to demolish Kimmel and Marion. Once demolished, the site — on Waverly Avenue, between Comstock and Walnut Avenues — will then be used to construct a single, modernized residence hall in its place.

Kimmel Hall was named for Claude L. Kimmel, a 1905 SU graduate. Kimmel served as a trustee for the university after graduation. Students first moved into Kimmel in 1962.

Marion Hall, named after Frank J. Marion, an 1890 SU graduate. Students began living in the building in 1954.

Following the announcement, former and current residents of the two dorms told The Daily Orange that the demolition and subsequent construction would be a good opportunity to improve campus living, citing outdated facilities and a lack of amenities. Both Marion and Kimmel were last renovated in 1988.

During a March 20 University Senate meeting, Syverud said that SU is still evaluating plans for the proposed Waverly Avenue dorm.

Published on August 29, 2024 at 12:27 am

Contact Madeline: mmgoodhe@syr.edu