ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — The Winthrop University Board of Trustees approved on April 30 a resolution for the issuance of higher education revenue bonds not to exceed $55.5 million to build a new residence hall.
The four-story, 400-bed building will be built along Cherry Road near the site where two former high-rise residence halls—Wofford and Richardson—were demolished in 2024. The new 95,000-square-foot project will help meet the university’s surging demand for housing driven by climbing enrollment and a growing slate of new degree programs.
During the meeting, James Grigg, Winthrop’s associate vice president for facilities management, outlined an ambitious construction schedule to the board. Following an anticipated August 12 project financing closing, per Winthrop's financial advisors, First Tryon Advisors, the project contractor will begin site work immediately, installing underground utilities and laying a building pad. Vertical construction is set to begin in January 2027, with interior work commencing in February. Final inspections are targeted for November 2027 to keep the project on track for a spring 2028 opening.
The project is being led by Juneau Construction Company, an Atlanta-based firm selected by the Office of State Engineers as the Design-Build Contractor. Juneau will oversee the full design and construction process in partnership with Boudreaux Architects of Columbia, S.C. Juneau brings relevant experience to the project, having built residence halls at South Carolina's two largest universities—Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. The State Fiscal Accountability Authority has approved Phase 1, and Phase 2 materials have been submitted to the Bond Resolution Committee and to the State Fiscal Accountability Authority for their June meetings.
Last summer, the board authorized an initial $600,000 for preconstruction services and approved seeking financing for the project. On April 8, an additional $1 million was approved at a special Called Board of Trustee meeting to cover remaining preconstruction costs before the August financing closing.
The board also authorized President Edward Serna to approve change orders to the Juneau contract as needed.
In other action, board members:
*Approved a new Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in counseling and voted to offer two new concentrations, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in individualized studies with a concentration in strategic applied studies and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice. Academic Affairs also plans to rename the B.A. in game design to a B.A. in game design studies.
*Honored Ed Driggers ’92 for his membership on the Board of Trustees for eight years representing the Congressional District 4 seat. He recently moved out of the district and resigned his seat.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
