Walsh Brothers breaks ground on $59 million Westfield State University residence hall

Westfield State University trustees, students, staff and faculty along with local and state officials celebrated the start of construction for University Hall, a $59 million student residence, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on May 12. Construction manager for the 135,000 s/f residence is Walsh Brothers; ADD Inc is the project architect. The Mass. State College Building Authority (MSCBA) is funding and overseeing the project. When completed next year, the 5-story University Hall will accommodate 410 students in semi-suite apartment units. The new residence hall will be built with environment-friendly materials and mechanical systems that will provide significant energy and water savings. The project is designed to meet the standards for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the US Green Buildings Council. "An important element of the Westfield State experience is our residential environment. Fostering this experience facilitates our students' all-around development," said Evan Dobelle, president, Westfield State. "Student input combined with the resources and support of the MSCBA has produced a new student housing complex that represents a modern, engaging facility that will benefit campus life for years to come." Last fall, Westfield State University Board of Trustees formally voted to undertake projects with a total capital cost of $73.8 million - the largest capital commitment in the history of Westfield State. University Hall is the flagship project in this expansion program.