BOISE – On Thursday, the Idaho State Board of Education approved a University of Idaho proposal to begin the planning and design to modernize existing on-campus student housing facilities and increase capacity by approximately 150 beds on the Moscow campus.

The action, approved during a special Board meeting at the State Board’s office in downtown Boise, authorizes the U of I to spend up to $12 million during the planning and design phase of the project.

The project would address deferred maintenance in several residential facilities, including enhancements to the Wallace Complex, Theopolis Tower

Elwood Apartments and expand undergraduate housing and dining. The overall cost for the project is estimated at $195 million and will take up to three years to complete.

The University of Idaho will use either university debt financing, or development partner financing, or a combination of these sources, to pay for the project. The financing plan for the total project must be approved by the State Board before construction can begin.

The University of Idaho leases a 200-bed motel near campus to help meet its current student housing demand.