Eagle Ridge complex plans eastern perch

With a $5.5 million budget and development plans approved, the first phase of Chadron State’s newest housing development, Eagle Ridge, is well on its way to becoming a reality.

The Nebraska State College System’s Board of Trustees approved Eagle Ridge’s design documents at its January meeting.

The project is tentatively planned for a fall 2014 completion, Blair Brennan, CSC physical facilities coordinator, said Monday.

Eagle Ridge will be situated on the east side of campus and will be connected to campus and parking lots by sidewalks that stretch west to existing campus buildings, Brennan said. Groundwork for the housing facility has begun east of the Burkhiser Complex.

Eagle Ridge is planned to have 3 buildings with six “pods” each. Each pod will contain four bedrooms, a kitchenette and a living room. Brennan said the pods would have a similar feel to those in Edna Work Hall.

“We have ordered no furnishings at this time, but each bedroom is expected to have a single bed, dresser and desk in it,” Brennan said. If students elect to pay for private rooms, the first stage of Eagle Ridge could house 72 students.

The new construction will encompass more than 20,000 square feet, NSCS materials state.

Eagle Ridge is planned to replace the 12 West Court apartments on the campus’ western edge which are scheduled for demolition during campus renovations in the coming years.