FAMU seeking federal grants to help renovate Sampson and Young

Note: This is the third and final part of Rattler Nation’s special report on “Dorms and Degrees.”

FAMU has applied for federal funds to assist it in renovating Sampson and Young Halls. If awarded, the money will go a long way toward paying the estimated $13.2M price tag required to bring those two dormitories back up to code.

The university is targeting federal dollars offered by the HBCU Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) run by the National Park Service. Since its establishment in 1966, HPF has provided millions to help HBCUs renovate historical buildings that are in dire need of repair.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated an additional $15 million to HPF for up to 45 awards ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million.

Sampson (1938) and Young (1929) Halls were both built during the Great Depression and would benefit greatly from the stimulus grants. A 2003 FAMU housing study cited a number of serious problems in the two buildings that include: nonconforming fire doors, inadequate fire alarm systems, deteriorated piping and plumbing systems, insufficient electrical systems, and inadequate fire sprinkler protection.

FAMU closed the two dormitories in 2003 due to the various code violations.

FAMU currently has only 2,484 on-campus beds for a student body that is expected to surpass 12,000 this year. Sampson would add 182 beds and Young would add 94, bringing the campus total up to 2760.

Financing housing renovations is a big challenge in the State University System. The legislature does not appropriate funds for housing construction or maintenance. The State of Florida used to make bonds available for these types of projects in the past, but is not doing so at this time due to budget constraints. FAMU is exploring private bank loan options in addition to its application for HPF money.

Re-opening Sampson and Young would likely give a boost to FAMU’s six-year graduation rate. Housing helps students afford more credit hours by cutting down the cost of living. Campus housing rental rates are usually much cheaper than private-owned apartments. Students also save money by using campus meal plans and walking to class instead of driving. That leaves them with more dollars to spend on courses.

Back when FAMU opened the Palmetto Street South (1993) and Phase III (1997) apartment complexes, lower division students (those with fewer than 60 credit hours) began taking heavier course loads.

President James Ammons recently announced that he’d like to see Sampson and Young renovated and re-opened by 2010. The university is in negotiations with Premier Construction to carry out the project.