[bucks native]

Admins, students, officials break ground at new dorm

Jennifer Famous

Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: News

Drexel students, faculty and staff came together May 21 with the Powelton Village community to break ground on the new 34th Street residence hall.

Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Tobey Oxholm said that seven years ago there was no relationship between Drexel and the Powelton Village Community, and now they have collaborated to become an "active, dynamic community."

"Drexel's relationship with the Powelton Village Community has improved over the years, and when the plans for the new residence hall were presented to them, they applauded its design," Jim Katsaounis, executive director of communications for the Division of Student Life and Administrative Services said.

West Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell stressed the importance of "partnership and everybody giving a little" to make this project a success.

"West Philadelphia is the best place in the country to be," Blackwell said.

The $42 million project will culminate in August 2009 and will be ready for the 2009-2010 school year, according to Katsaounis.

James Tucker, senior vice president for SLAS, said the new dormitory will be the "focal point of Drexel's campus as a residential community."

All students were invited to a cookout immediately following the ceremony.

"[The cookout] was to recognize the student involvement in the development and design of the building," Katsaounis said.

Tucker also told the guests of the event that this is the first of three major construction changes to occur on Drexel's campus.

In the fall, the Daskalakis Athletic Center will undergo renovations, moving to the Armory. Following in the winter months will be the construction of a new bioscience building.

The new dorm will hold 482 students on 17 floors.