The next building boom: Construction keeps pace with growing university

A series of high profile construction projects are taking shape that will soon transform Rowan University's landscape, an evolution that mirrors its rapid programmatic and student body growth.

Key among these projects, a new $63 million building for the Rohrer College of Business (RCoB) will be built just west of Westby Hall and construction of a $71 million second building will soon start for the College of Engineering (CoE)'s Rowan Hall.

Donald Moore, senior vice president for Facilities, Planning & Operations, said the dynamic pace of construction helps fulfill President Ali Houshmand's vision for the University.

“We don’t build just to build," Moore said. "Dr. Houshmand envisions Rowan as an ever more important leader in southern New Jersey. The physical expansion of our campuses will help us increase enrollment, increase access and become an even greater economic engine."

This year’s freshmen class, which at more than 2,200 students is some 30 percent larger than last year’s, is one of the clearest indicators that Rowan's fast-evolving curricula appeals to a wide range of students.

Over the last two years the University added two medical schools and is expanding its footprint on its main, Camden and West campuses. The Board of Trustees in September moved to add several new programs including a Ph.D. in Engineering, a bachelor's degree in Engineering Entrepreneurship and two new minors, one in Entrepreneurship and one in Civil Engineering.

The Board also moved to expand the Camden campus bank building, lease new downtown Glassboro space for the College of Communication, and bolster the University’s presence in a growing Arts & Entertainment district.

To keep pace with residential student growth, plans are moving quickly on a housing village with up to 1,400 beds for incoming underclassmen and transfer students.

"These are all critical moves that help strengthen the Rowan community on campus and off," Moore said.

Part of the funding for these projects was approved by New Jersey voters in the 2012 Building Our Future Bond Act, a referendum that approved $750 million of which $117 million was earmarked for Rowan.

Impact on parking

The main campus construction projects – especially the new RCoB and CoE buildings – have necessitated an evaluation of Rowan's parking infrastructure and a study is underway to maximize use of existing lots and garages, Moore said.

"Our focus is not just on the needs of today but on what additional parking amenities may be necessary to support University growth over the next 3-5 years," he said.

With construction of the RCoB and CoE buildings expected to begin in early to mid 2015, part of Lot A, the main parking area off Route 322, will be closed, as will Lot M-1, the gravel lot in front of Rowan Hall. New parking areas with roughly 700 spaces will be created on existing athletics practice fields between Coach Richard Wackar Stadium and Rowan Hall and new practice fields will be built on the West campus.

"Between the garage behind the Townhouses, the Rowan Boulevard garage and other existing lots we have opportunities to mitigate the parking distribution challenges that currently exist," Moore said.

Construction of a new roadway is also under consideration to further ease parking and traffic, he said. Running from Bowe Boulevard, the road would provide a more direct route to the new parking at the center of campus and lessen traffic through the new Engineering complex.  Affordability will drive a decision on this alternate but it is being explored during the design and construction bid stages.

A range of projects

The CoE and RCoB buildings are in their final design stages with bidding to follow. A summary of major projects in development includes the following:

College of Engineering - Rowan Hall expansion. Cost: $71 million. Size: 90,500 square feet. Major features: bridge connecting new and existing building, classrooms, wet/dry labs, meeting rooms, offices, dining facility. Substantial completion expected by spring of 2017.

Rohrer College of Business - New building. Cost: $63 million. Size: 110,000 square feet. Major features: classrooms, offices, seminar and meeting rooms, dining facility. Substantial completion expected by spring of 2017.

Student Housing - A public-private-public partnership, construction of new housing is planned opposite the Rowan Boulevard Apartments complex at the former site of Mansion Park, an on-campus development. Bid process underway.

Landscape improvements and parking lot redesign - Currently underway between Memorial and Bunce halls.

301 High Street Renovations - Rowan investment in this project, which was begun by another developer as upscale townhouses, cements the University's commitment to an Arts & Entertainment district downtown. With roughly 20,000 square feet of space, the building will serve as a gallery, studio, offices and classrooms.

6 E. High Street - The University will lease this former bank building, most recently home to Land Dimensions Engineering, for use by the College of Communication.

West Campus - In addition to the creation of new athletics practice and throwing fields, the University is exploring opportunities for a second building in the South Jersey Technology Park.

Camden campus bank building - Rowan is continuing redevelopment of the historic First Camden National Bank building on the Camden campus. Plans are underway for an 11,000-13,000 square foot expansion of the building for additional classroom space.

View a map of main campus construction projects