The partnership was approved by the Western Kentucky University Board of Regents on April 24, and approval was received on April 27 from the Kentucky Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee.
Western Kentucky University has received all necessary approvals to enter into a public-provate partnership with Gilbane Development Company and its affiliates that will revitalize on-campus housing options for students. The $350 million “Elevate WKU” project will replace aging housing units with more modern student living areas that are expected to improve student experience and bolster retention rates.
According to an article on Western Kentucky University’s website, WKU President Timothy C. Caboni was quoted as saying of the project, “This is a pivotal moment for the future of our Hill. Through Elevate WKU, we are providing high-quality, modern housing that remains affordable for our students while partnering with national experts in the field.”
The partnership involves a long-term ground lease model with the Collegiate Housing Foundation (CHF), which is a national 501(c)(3) organization and Alabama nonprofit corporation that will serve as the owner and borrower of the project. The organization’s nonprofit status will qualify for tax-exempt financing and will create a more cost-effective situation for the university. The long-term ground lease model will give the university strategic control over the project. The long-term ground lease will last for 50 years.
Phase 1 of the project will include the demolition of Douglas-Keen Hall, Hugh-Poland Hall, and a dining facility to construct a 1,000 bed dorm and dining facility on the same land. Demolition will start in Fall 2026 and the new facility will be expected to open in Fall 2028. Additionally, improvements will be made to other housing facilities.
New housing facilities will have collaborative study spaces, community hubs, suite-style rooms, social spaces, and modern amenities. These enhancements are expected to help students build relationships and foster a richer student experience.
Geoff Eisenacher, who serves as the Vice President of Development for Gilbane Development, said, “Elevate WKU represents the kind of long‑term, mission‑aligned public-private partnership we are proud to partner on. At its core, this housing initiative is about students—creating and maintaining modern living‑learning environments that foster belonging, support, student success, and strengthen the Hilltopper experience from a student’s very first day on campus and throughout their academic career. By combining WKU’s leadership and vision with our experience, we’re able to deliver communities that help students thrive today while laying the foundation for generations of future Hilltoppers.”
For more information about Western Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.