BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Some Ferris State University students will soon have prime viewing of the school's national championship-winning football team right from their dorm rooms, according to a new plan at the university.
FSU is planning a brand new residence hall that's attached to the Bulldog's Top Taggart Field.
The newly-planned residence hall is part of an effort by the school to update living spaces for students, Ferris State President Bill Pink said in a release.
“This new living space puts students right in the heart of the action at Ferris State University,” Pink said. “We are creating an unmatched student experience in our residence halls to accompany the work we’ve done in our classrooms. This will be a state-of-the-art facility with all the modern conveniences students today are looking for, with the added benefit of being attached to an entertainment complex that will host events throughout the year. These students will truly have the best seat in the house.”
The planned residence hall will cost the university an estimated $38 million to complete the project.
Once finished, the hall will have space for about 300 beds across its four stories. The front portion of the residence hall will face the football field and the first floor will include community spaces that open out to the stadium.
The university said the new residence hall will be the first of two new living spaces to replace current residences.
The school also said it's in the early stages of developing a capital campaign for expanding and renovating in and around Top Taggart Field and potentially other sports facilities on campus.
The new residence hall project has not yet been named and is the first new residence hall at the university since North Hall opened in 2017.
Ferris State believes that this is the first public university in the state to have a residence hall attached to a large stadium.
“In addition to being part of the stadium, the location is perfect,” Pink said. “It’s across the street from the Student Recreation Center, near both of our dining halls, and a short walk from our health center. And if a student is more interested in esports, the Center for Virtual Learning and its innovative Esports Arena is right next door.”
