Cookies, dirt and hard hats were plentiful at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the McAllister Academic Village on Monday.
The McAllister Project is the first portion of ASU President Michael Crow's vision of a "living and learning" community that will incorporate classrooms and residence halls into one location.
Crews began clearing Lot 40 in early February, immediately following the Arizona Board of Regents' approval of the $90 million project.
Crow said one of his top priorities with the project was to provide additional on-campus housing for students.
Hanna Ricketson, director of the Residence Hall Association, said living on campus enhances students' academic experience through the creation of a friendly and supportive community.
"I know that [McAllister Village is] going to make it possible for thousands more students to get to experience what I've experienced, and I think it will be a great step forward for the whole University," she said.
Phase 1 of the McAllister Academic Village is set for completion in fall 2006 and will provide 900 additional bed spaces for freshmen living on campus. Phase 2 will add about 1,000 more spaces by fall 2007.
Phase 2 will also bring a dining facility to the Academic Village. General Manager of Campus Dining Ben Hartley said the location would seat about 400 people and provide five or six individual dining options.
The Academic Village will also house classrooms for freshman English and math, a learning resources center, which will provide tutoring centers and group study rooms, as well as a UPS Store.
The project is a step toward ASU and Tempe's plan to develop a stronger partnership to facilitate the growth of the University and the city.
Tempe and ASU are working on a plan to fund an extension of an existing sewer line that would serve the Academic Village.
"This project is a big part of the city maturing and the University growing up within the city itself," Crow said.
Reach the reporter at emilia.arnold@asu.edu.
