Changes are coming to William & Mary’s campus in the coming years with updates and reconstruction projects on various buildings.
In January, residents of One Tribe Place were notified the site would not be an option for housing in the 2020-2021 academic year, said Suzanne Clavet, spokeswoman for the college. The building was previously a hotel, the Hospitality House, that was bought for student housing for $21 million in 2013.
At the time, the funds for purchase and renovations were set to be financed through 20-year bonds authorized by the state. The bonds will be repaid through student housing fees.
Clavet confirmed that’s still how the project would be funded.
Related story: W&M to Buy Hospitality House for Student Housing
However, since then, the need for a number of renovations has resurfaced. While The Flat Hat, the W&M’s student newspaper, reported the school had not done a full inspection prior to purchase, Clavet said the college contracted professionals to do a visual inspection and record search. This includes inspections of roofs, the building structure and other areas.
The contractors also reviewed the available maintenance records and contracts that had been underway for “corrective work” planned by the owner.
“Like we do whenever we purchase a new property off campus, William & Mary did its due diligence prior to purchasing the Hospitality House property.” Clavet said.
Clavet said the campus has plenty of room for the students who were formerly housed in that hall. In the past seven years, the university has added 771 beds on campus so that students could be accommodated even without the availability of One Tribe Place.
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In addition to the renovations, the school’s Dillard Complex will experience changes in the coming years.
During a Williamsburg City Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 27, questions were raised as to the future of the building. Sean Hughes, executive director of William & Mary Real Estate Foundation, confirmed the long-term plan was for its demolition.
The building will have several structures removed with the ultimate goal of adding athletic facilities, Clavet said. The Dillard Complex, located next to Plumeri Park, includes Hughes Hall, Munford Hall, the Galt Houses and an athletic field.
According to the 2015 master plan from the college, the complex’s baseball and soccer fields will be combined by a new track and field center. Then there will be a new spectator seating area with storage, a usable infield and a separate area for events.
The current library storage building is slated to remain but the space will be converted to arts and science storage.
The goal is to create features that will improve the spectator and visiting team experience, according to the master plan.
“No immediate plans for removal of buildings are in the works,” Clavet said. “However, as a number of the buildings at Dillard are being utilized for swing space or storage during other construction projects that are occurring on campus.”
