University of South Carolina OKs $460 million student housing project

University of South Carolina trustees Friday signed off on a $460 million plan to transform the dilapidated south side of USC’s downtown Columbia campus into a 3,750-bed “Campus Village” student housing complex.

The public-private partnership with Memphis-based developer EdR ensures USC will not pay a dime to build or operate the village’s eight quad-styled residence halls, the school said Friday. The university also will not be liable for any debt.

Plans call for EdR to tear down four 1970s-era dorms with 1,211 beds – including Bates House and Bates West – and replace them with cast-stone or brick buildings of up to six stories.

The 18-acre site – bordered by Pickens, Heyward and Sumter streets – also would have a 945-space parking garage, several courtyards, retail shops, a cafeteria and restaurants.

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