Cardinal Court

Normal – There were a lot of big names in attendance for the dedication of Cardinal Court Thursday morning. So the excitement for the end of a two-year long project was immense.

ISU President Al Bowman, Mayor of Normal Chris Koos and Director of Student Housing Maureen Blair all were in attendance, along with hundreds of residents and family of students who will be living in the new campus apartments.

The planning for this project was collaborative and began in early 2010. The people involved in the planning wanted Cardinal Court to be finished at the same time the Watterson renovations were completed and when South Side was decommissioned.

“So that was all timed to happen at the same time, so when we closed south campus buildings students would be able to pick either Watterson or [Cardinal Court],” Blair said.

Cardinal Court consists of five residential halls and a community center. There are five different floor plans for students to choose from, including a 4×4 plan, which has four private bedrooms and bathrooms.  Apartments will be fully furnished. There will be a full kitchen, including a dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator in each apartment. Also, the residential buildings will be completely private and will only be open to residents and their guests. The community center has a cafe, game room and fitness center that the students living in the apartments and their guests may use.

There is an outdoor basketball court located behind the community center. Ample parking will be available as well as plenty of bike racks. Buses will frequently stop in front of the community center. Routes and timing are still being determined by the University Parking Services.

The maximum capacity of residents in Cardinal Court is 894, and right now the apartment complex is filled to capacity. Freshmen will not be allowed to live in Cardinal Court. Right now to live in the new student housing, students must hold at least a sophomore status at the university.

Students will be able to move into their new homes with in the next week, just in time for them to get settled in before classes start on August 20.