WKU announces new housing model
Photo credit: Western Kentucky University
On June 10, Western Kentucky University (WKU) officially released its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a national partner to help execute its ambitious plan to transform campus housing over the next decade. This move marks a significant step forward in the university’s efforts to modernize and expand its residential life offerings while ensuring affordability and access for all students.
Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) is partnering with WKU and the Student Life Foundation to explore transforming the university’s residence life program through a public-private partnership (P3) model. This collaborative approach will help shape a modern housing landscape that meets student needs and supports WKU’s mission.
The plan was unveiled last week at the WKU Board of Regents meeting, where the university shared its vision for a comprehensive, three-phase housing redevelopment. According to reporting by the Bowling Green Daily News and the WKU Herald, the strategy aims to replace most of WKU’s older dormitories with modern, hotel-style, suite-style, and pod-style accommodations that promote community and academic success.
A three-phase approach to modernization
-
Phase 1 will address immediate needs by renovating and remediating Normal Hall and Regents Hall, which were recently closed due to code compliance upgrades. This phase also includes demolishing Hilltopper Hall and preparing Douglas Keen and/or Hugh Poland Halls for new construction.
-
Phase 2 focuses on building a vibrant “first-year village” with up to 1,000 new beds to replace housing lost from Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland Halls.
-
Phase 3 will redevelop the sites of McCormack Hall, Rodes Harlin Hall, and Gilbert Hall, adding approximately 1,400 beds in an upper-class and sophomore village.
WKU President Timothy Caboni underscored the project’s importance at the Board of Regents meeting: “We’re not just going to upgrade the housing; we’re going to do it in a way that ensures affordability and supports our mission of access.”
A new model for living and learning
The WKU Herald highlighted that this plan aligns with the university’s long-term vision to revitalize residence life through partnerships with private developers. By releasing the RFQ today, WKU is inviting qualified firms to propose innovative solutions that align with its student-centric goals.
As B&D continues to advise WKU throughout the process, this effort represents a model for how strategic partnerships can reshape the future of student housing while maintaining affordability and high-quality living environments.
Next steps
Proposals are due in September, with negotiations and pre-development slated for the fall. Design and pre-construction activities are expected to begin in winter and continue through spring 2026. This timeline ensures that by the end of the decade, WKU will offer a modern, dynamic residential portfolio that supports student success.
