PROCON completes two new Merrimack College residential halls

North Andover, MA PROCON has completed two student residence halls on the Merrimack College campus. PROCON  is the design builder for the $12.5 million project, which accommodates 175 students starting the fall 2015 semester. The 3-story town-home-style dorms were designed to blend in with the nearby neighborhood, and will meet an increased demand for student on-campus housing. Site work began in November, 2014 with $2.5 million in site work that included the installation of underground utilities to prepare the site for the two buildings. Simultaneous with the site work was the placement of the footings and foundation. In February wood framing began and by spring the buildings were weather tight and ready for interior installations. The building’s exterior is a pleasing hardy panel and brick combination that blends effortlessly into the surrounding area. The dorms are 76,000 SF offering four and six-bedroom units for incoming students. Besides the convenience of on-campus accessibility, the buildings supply an onsite laundry area, and a community room for student gatherings. Plans also include the added bonus of an adjacent café with a wrap-around porch for students to enjoy. Grueling winter conditions presented many challenges to the construction crews, but that did not prevent them from moving the project towards its August deadline. The project manager said, “I am so proud of the great team we’ve had on this project. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to get the buildings finished in time for the students to move in.” The college is located about 25 miles from Boston, sits on 220 acres, and is situated at the border of two towns – Andover and North Andover — abutting the Rte. 114 interchange. These residence halls are phase one of the North Residential Village project which includes the construction of two additional 170-student dormitory buildings that are expected to commence in the near future. PROCON has designed and built several projects over the years for Merrimack College, and recently completed renovations on the Academic Innovation Center. Merrimack College founded in 1947 is a selective, independent college in the Catholic, Augustinian tradition whose mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Over the last 68 years’ the college has graduated 22,000 students and has grown to nearly 40 buildings. The school offers multiple undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and is committed to scholarship and service to others. PROCON is a fully integrated in-house design-build firm specializing in institutional, commercial, hospitality,  industrial and multi-family residential projects. Celebrating 80 years of business, PROCON is highly regarded for its single-source philosophy and commitment to client success.