Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
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ST. CLOUD - A residence hall on the St. Cloud State University campus will be torn down later this year. Holes Hall has sat empty for the past few years. The recently completed St. Cloud State University Comprehensive Plan calls for the demolition of the building, which was built in the mid 1960's.

The students had told us loud and clear that they were really interested in resident halls that had more of an apartment style feel to them, and physical built environment. There are two buildings that we found our cost to renovate them, particularly to renovate them into what the students were looking for in terms of apartments, was both cost prohibitive and actually not financially feasible.

Tammy McGee is the Vice President of Finance and Administration at SCSU. She says Stearns residence hall is also empty, and will also eventually be torn down. The long-term plan also calls for Mitchell Hall to be replaced in about 10 years.

Currently students have the option of living at Coborn Plaza Apartments on 5th Avenue.

More landscaping, and better signage, are also being called for in the Comprehensive Plan.

We had a study done that showed our signage was lacking. And, that we needed to find ways to make new pathways on campus. How do we open up the river and make that more user friendly?

McGee says the plan also includes improving technology in the classrooms. It doesn't call for any new sports facilities, but renovations to Hallenbeck Hall and the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center are in the plans.

McGee says they've been working on the Comprehensive Plan for nearly two years, and it's the most extensive plan SCSU has ever had. It's broken down for projects to be completed in the next five years, six to 11 years, and then 11 years and up.

The MnSCU system office has approved the plan. The State Legislature, MnSCU, and SCSU will use the document as they plan for funding the projects outlined in the plan.

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