Renovations set for Tri-Towers Dorms at Kent State

The heating and air conditioning system in the three-building Tri-Towers residence halls at Kent State University will be replaced in three phases starting this summer.

The university's board of trustees approved the $30 million project at their meeting Tuesday. Tri-Towers, located on the campus' eastern edge, is comprised of Koonce, Leebrick and Wright halls.

Gregg Floyd, vice president for finance and administration at Kent State, said the project cost will be spread out over a 20-year bond and is part of the university's facilities plan.

"I can assure you we’ve reached the end of the life of the HVAC," Floyd said.

The cost to replace the 40-year-old system will be paid for by student housing fees.

Kent State University President Lester Lefton said an existing fee and not a new fee will pay for the system renovations.

"We expect to be able to pay for the bonds through the student fees that are collected each year for living in the dormitory, not a special fee," Lefton said.

The work will be done during summer months in three phases spread over the next three years. It will include masonry repair, window replacement, new roofs, flooring, insulation and some elevator repairs or replacements.

Lefton said they broke the project up into phases for summer-time work so students wouldn't be displaced by the updates.

The trustees also approved utility work for Allyn Hall, which will be connected to the city's central water chilled system through a $1.91 million project to maximize energy efficiency and simplify maintenance. That work will be paid for through capital reserve money set aside by Kent State Residence Services.