BACKGROUND: The Hunter Hall renovation project is designed to transition Hunter Hall from a residence hall to an office building to be occupied by the Kentucky State University Land Grant Program. Federal funds of $1,900,000 are available from the USDA to renovate and transition the space to fit the needs of the program.

The Halls is a 319 bed residence hall that has been closed since 2013. Original estimates for a renovation of this building were approximately $6 million and determined to not be financially feasible. However, that renovation cost assumed gutting the building and reconfiguring it extensively. A recent evaluation involving University staff and Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet staff indicates that the building can be brought back on line for less than $900,000.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: The Hunter Hall project is currently in a design phase which will determine the final scope of the project and how the building can be repurposed within the total budget. Design and renovation are expected to take approximately 2 years. Finance and Administration Cabinet staff handle design team selection, bidding and procurement, and contract administration for this project as the scope exceeds $40,000.

The Halls renovation project is currently in an evaluation phase with the Finance and Administration Cabinet. The project consists of: