Limestone Park I and II will be built on the corner of South Limestone and the Avenue of Champions. Currently more than 800 students live near this juncture in buildings slated for demolition. When completed, they will join multiple other new housing structures, such as the Central dormitories, which recently opened to 601 new residents. An additional five dormitories are slated to open in fall 2014 between the north and south campuses, and three buildings currently under construction are set to open in 2015. Together, these new facilities will increase beds by 9,000 across the campus, a move the school estimates will cost roughly $500 million.

Upon completion of these myriad construction projects, the campus will consist of multiple private single, double and quad living options. Expanding and improving student housing choices is part of a concerted effort by the university to improve the student experience and increase both retention and graduation figures.

UK President Eli Capilouto has been working to add campus housing options since he accepted the position in 2011, and has noted that the new dormitories will also strengthen the link between the city’s downtown and the university’s north campus. "Together, we are a university city that grows best when we grow together — something we have committed to now and for the future," he said. With the addition of Limestone I and II, Capilouto added, "You’ll be able to gaze at new retail spaces, perhaps a wellness clinic, new restaurants, that all complement … urban residential spaces in ways that draw together students, alumni, and neighbors.”

"This housing revitalization continues to fulfill the vision and direction we set out more than two years ago with President Capilouto," said Board of Trustee Chairman Britt Brockman at the recent meeting. "We want to be — and will be — one of the thriving, public residential campuses in America that is helping produce tomorrow’s leaders for our state and our world."

Additionally, this new dorm space will allow the school to expand its increasingly popular living-learning programs. These unique programs allow students of similar academic interests to share both a major and a living space, and boast a 90 percent retention rate, said UK Provost Christine Riordan.

Local historical preservation advocated from the Blue Grass Trust also spoke at the late January meeting in an attempt to save certain structures from the wrecking ball. The group has been working with university officials in an attempt to preserve what they deem to be historically and architecturally significant structures. In its annual list of the region’s most endangered buildings, all were located on the UK campus.

In the end, however, Boyd, Holmes, Keeneland and Jewell Halls, as well as Hamilton House, were all approved for demolition. Despite the fact that two structures were designed by noted architect Ernst Johnson, the board was not moved. Trustee David Hawpe said during the meeting, “…I’m not convinced the architectural significance of these buildings outweighs the need to reimagine and revitalize space."

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The UK Dining Revitalization Committee reports the school is in dire need of a new dining hall, which could cost millions. Committee members believe a private contract could potentially provide these new facilities at no cost to the school, and save even more in lowered operational costs. The committee has recently issued a request for proposals from major food service operators, and has reportedly received several undisclosed bids.

The university’s RFP dictates that any contracted company must maintain the existing UK Dining Partnership with the school’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. It also requires the continued purchase of local foods, as well as the expansion of healthier and more sustainable dining options. One major provision also protects the jobs of an estimated 240 current full and part time employees, as well as roughly 500 student workers.

Eric Monday, the university’s executive vice president for finance and administration assured the UK community that the public forums were valuable for the committee, and that no privatization decision would be made lightly. “As a result of this dialogue, we’ve listened and we’ve made improvements to our process, which will lead to a better result no matter which direction we take,” said Monday. “Our ultimate goal, though, has remained consistent throughout the process: creating the best possible dining service for our campus community and others who use this critical service.”

Meanwhile Lee Meyer, a Dining Revitalization Committee member believes not considering money saving options would be unwise. “I think UK Dining Services has been doing a great job … But I think the administration wants to, and really ought to, see what else is available.”
Ethics Reporter, a publication of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, said the trend toward privatization is gathering steam among the state’s universities. The report said the University of Kentucky in particular recently awarded various contracts to six different law firms, two outside marketing groups and two medical providers.

The RFPs will be reviewed this month by a committee of faculty and staff from the agriculture, health care and student affairs departments. Roshan Palli, student government president, is the only student body representative on the 13-member panel. The university’s president, Eli Capilouto, will make the final decision.

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