Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, a leading developer and operator of infrastructure projects for the college and university market, along with Provident Resources Group, announced today that construction has begun on the first phase of a dynamic mixed-use project for the University of Oklahoma (OU). The $194M project will expand the University’s options for on-campus living for upperclass students as part of a public-private partnership (P3).

Located on more than 10 acres in the southern sector of OU’s campus in Norman, Oklahoma, the development will introduce a vibrant, mixed-use experience for both residents and the broader campus community. The project scope includes four distinct mid-rise buildings that will deliver 1,231 student beds, as well as more than 40,000 square feet of integrated dining, shopping, entertainment, fitness, academic and co-curricular spaces, and a parking garage with capacity for 1,000 vehicles.

JE Dunn Construction’s Oklahoma City office is leading the project’s design/build team, in collaboration with Clark Nexsen of Charlotte, NC and Studio Architecture of Oklahoma City. RBC Capital Markets is the financial underwriter for the project.

“Together with the new Dunham and Headington Residential Colleges, this project is going to establish an exciting, new, engaging on-campus living experience at OU designed for upperclassmen. Dunham and Headington Colleges will be over 95 percent full on day one. There is great demand to live on-campus at OU and this project will make it even more exciting for upperclassmen,” said OU Executive Vice President and Vice President for Administration and Finance Nick Hathaway. “This dynamic public-private partnership allowed OU to build these exciting new high quality student facilities with great attention to cost reduction.”

Construction of the project is expected to be completed in August 2018 in preparation for the 2018-2019 academic year. The housing component will be jointly operated and managed by the University and Balfour Beatty Communities.

“This project is a strong example of how public-private partnerships continue to evolve, as we believe it is one of the first comprehensive living community developments to be delivered through the public-private model,” said Josh Smith, senior vice president for Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions. “Our team is thrilled to be working with OU to fulfill their vision and shape an outcome that reinforces the campus’ position as a residential university and expands on-campus housing with a state-of-the-art option for OU students.”

“Provident is very pleased to be the University of Oklahoma’s partner on the project–OU’s first P3 project located on the Norman flagship campus,” said Steve Hicks, chairman and CEO for Provident Resources Group. “Through Provident Oklahoma Education Resources, Provident’s subsidiary, we will be able to serve many of OU’s capital project needs for many years to come. The University of Oklahoma’s commitment to serving its students through the project is to be applauded. Balfour Beatty and RBC Capital Markets did an outstanding job for both OU and Provident in bringing the project financing to completion.”