University of Montana plans new 7-story dorm, may demolish old ones

As the University of Montana seeks to maintain affordable housing options and meet student needs, the Missoula campus is planning construction of a roughly 600-bed residence tower.

It would be UM’s largest dorm on campus by far. The estimated $105 million project received approval to spend $5.6 million from university coffers for planning last November. Construction would be followed by potential demolition of three of UM’s oldest dorms and consideration of redeveloping university apartments.

“We want to make sure that we can keep up with enrollment and have a new facility for residence hall students that really met their needs,” Executive Director of UM Housing and Community Standards Sandy Curtis said. “And building a new residence hall is about giving our students the ability for them to prosper academically here on campus.”

UM Housing Director Sandy Curtis stands outside Turner Hall on the University of Montana campus. The university plans to begin construction of a new campus residence hall at the corner of Arthur Avenue and East Beckwith Avenue. 

ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian

Plans call for a seven-story dorm hall, consisting mostly

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