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Regents approve $3.1 million for housing
A two-phase project includes addtions to Mary and Tommy halls as well as a new Flynntown community center
John F. O'Sullivan
The Record
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Last week the Board of Regents allocated $3.1 million to the Housing Committee to renovate Mary and Tommy residence halls.
The improvements are the first in a two-phase operation that will result in a community center in Flynntown and the addition of a fourth floor to Mary Hall.
The first-year halls' improvements will include carpeting the rooms and upgrading lounges and electrical spaces.
"Our room's power goes out like once a week," said Michael Putney, a Mary Hall resident.
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The improvements should reduce the number of blown fuses.
Another part of phase one is to create a master plan for a Flynntown community center.
"Students wanted a community center in Flynntown," said Gar Kellom, vice president of student development.
Last year the university contracted a company to survey 500 students about housing at St. John's.
The Flynntown Community Center proposal was developed in response to the survey results.
"It's not another Sexton Commons, it's more modest than that," said Br. Robin Pierzina, director of residential life and faculty resident coordinator. "[Flynntown] lacks the community space, so all that we have done on the upper campus by way of encouraging community simply doesn't exist."
The center will be a place for students to study, host a gathering or grab a quick snack. In the coming months, an architect will draft a plan so the proposal can be brought to the Board of Regents in May, Kellom said.
The second phase of the plan includes building the community center and adding a fourth floor to Mary Hall.
"One suggestion has been to use first floor for offices [and] recreational space ... and use [the] second and third floor for residential living as well as fourth," Pierzina said.
It's unclear when the second phase will begin.
"Phase two really depends on the Board of Regents and monastics approving things," said Ryan Blevins, assistant dean of campus life. "After the master plan for Flynntown is approved, more concrete decisions can be made."
Kellom said he wants student imput.
"Students should keep in touch with their student senators or their RA's or FR's."
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