GALVESTON, TEXAS — Texas A&M University at Galveston has selected Hunt Cos. to develop a $45 million cadet residence hall for students enrolled in its military programs. The 612-bed hall will feature two residential wings connected by an illuminated formation court. The wings will be designed to provide cadets direct access to leadership and centralized gathering locations.
The facility’s adjacent commons will feature non-residential amenities, possibly including classrooms, office space, conference rooms, lounges and retail space. Construction is scheduled to begin during the second quarter of this year, and the project is slated for completion in fall 2015.
“As a part of our overall business management strategy, the Texas A&M University System continues to seek innovative ways to gain access to private-sector capital, as well as expertise in delivering such construction projects in the most timely, efficient and cost-effective manner possible,” says Phillip Ray, chief business development officer of the Texas A&M University System.
Hunt Cos. will act as the project’s designer, developer and builder. The development portion will be carried out by Hunt’s public-private partnership division. This is the first partnership between Hunt and the University System.
“We are confident that this new partnership with Hunt Companies will enable us to achieve these essential goals on behalf of our Sea Aggies,” adds Ray.
The cadets of Texas A&M at Galveston are part of theTexas A&M Maritime Academy, which includes the Merchant Marine Licensing (LO) program; the LO/Strategic Sealift Officers Program, which is a U.S. Navy reserve program; the Midshipmen, or NROTC College Program; and the Drill and Ceremonies program.
“This partnership [with the Texas A&M University System] will create a more comfortable and accommodating living environment for current and future cadets, and allow for greater flexibility and housing options for the growing student population,” says Sinclair Cooper, co-president of Hunt’s public-private partnership division.
Hunt Cos. has developed 89,000 housing units, more than 1 million square feet of commercial space and thousands of acres of land. The firm and its affiliates currently have $24.8 billion in assets under management, including 278,408 multifamily units and 5.7 million square feet of office, retail and industrial properties.
Specifically within the military housing sector, the El Paso-based company has developed and/or built more than 70,000 military homes, equating to a total of more than $6 billion in development costs and more than $8 billion in construction costs. Through the company’s partnership with the Department of Defense, Hunt currently holds an ownership interest in 37,768 military homes throughout 20 states. Notable residential projects are located at Hampton Roads, Bolling AFB, Buckley AFB, Langley AFB, Fort Le and the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
— Nellie Day