Approval of Hunter Hall Residential Renovation Project
In 1933, President Atwood himself recruited Ann Jackson Heartwell Hunter to Kentucky State University to serve as the new Dean of Women on campus. She would hold this title until 1942, when she left the university to serve in the Red Cross during World War II. In 1947, she returned to campus and served the university as the Dean of Students until her retirement in 1965. In honor of her long service and in gratitude for her countless hours to the students of Kentucky State University, on October 23, 1964, Hunter Hall was officially dedicated. The residence hall housed 102 female students and offered additional auxiliary services.
A portion of the building was recently renovated for office and research space. This project will renovate the two remaining floors for residential use. This project will include a new roof, new windows for the entire building, renovation of the residence rooms, as well as infrastructure upgrades of the mechanical, electric and plumbing systems for the entire building.
It is anticipated that this construction will begin in late 2025 and will be completed for the beginning of the Fall 2026 Academic semester.
The Board of Regents approved the initial design phase for this project ($750,000) in the January 2025 meeting. This fund request is for $7,500,000.00 needed for construction. This request will bring the total for Design and Construction to $8,250,000.00. This will be funded with the University's 2024-2026 State Bond Funded Asset Preservation Funds. No matching funds are required from the University.
Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo recommends the Board of Regents approve the Hunter Hall Residential Renovation Project funds for construction.
Approve the use of 2024-2026 asset preservation funds for the Hunter Hall Residential Renovation Project.