The Board of Trustees has recently approved several noteworthy capital projects that align with the objectives of the Capital Excellence Initiative. These projects encompass the construction of Colleges 12 and 13, the development of BRC and O'Connor labs, and the commencement of Phase 1 renovations to the R-Room, along with upgrades to restrooms at the football stadium. These initiatives represent significant investments aimed at enhancing our campus facilities and supporting the overall mission of the university.
Colleges 12 and 13: Over the next three years, we will commence the design and construction of two new residential colleges, each with a capacity exceeding 300 beds. These new colleges will be accompanied by a state-of-the-art servery facility, reflecting our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional living and dining experience for our university community. The primary objective of this project is to accommodate the projected increase in undergraduate enrollment to 4,800 students by fall 2024, bringing us closer to our goal of housing 80% of the undergraduate population on campus. In line with our long-term objectives, the demolition of Old Sid Richardson College will be undertaken as part of this initiative, making way for a modern, sustainable, and student-focused environment. The project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.
The planned work on these projects aligns directly with the Capital Excellence initiative, which aims to provide greater transparency to all stakeholders, support Rice's ambitious 2030 carbon-neutral goal, and efficiently allocate resources to build spaces that cater to the diverse needs of our campus community.
BRC Hub Lounges, Fourth and Fifth Floor Tenant Improvements: This project will build out seven lab spaces for new faculty hires and will also renovate hub lounge space. The project is projected to be completed in June 2024.
O’Connor Lab and Office Buildout: The buildout of approximately 87,400 square feet of existing shell space in the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science is scheduled to accommodate and house The Rice Advance Materials Institute, School of Engineering, and School of Natural Science. This work will be completed in phases. The first 10,000 square feet will be completed in May 2023. The remaining lab and offices will be completed between 2023 and 2026, depending on hiring timelines.
Rice Stadium Improvement Projects: The first phase of this project will include the renovation of the R Room and two sets of restrooms on the west concourse. In the R Room, work will address deferred maintenance, including new HVAC units, adding a fire sprinkler system, replacement of electrical infrastructure and lighting, a new code-compliant elevator, and new interior finishes. For the restrooms on the west concourse, visitors will soon experience new restroom lighting, ventilation, and plumbing fixtures. The R Room interior is scheduled to be completed by the first football game of the 2023 season and the west concourse restrooms will be complete by May 2024.