News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE JULY 18, 2005

ABAC PLACE EARNS DESIGN AWARD

For the second time in as many years, an Abraham Baldwin College facility has earned a prestigious design award. ABAC Place, the new student housing community, has been named a 2005 Project of Distinction in the Education Design Showcase sponsored by College Planning and Management magazine.

The ABAC Agricultural Sciences Building was recognized as an Outstanding Design – Specialized Category, from American School and University magazine in 2004.

“This is an impressive accomplishment for ABAC,” said Interim President Tom Call. “We’re pleased to have two of our buildings earn design awards. However, the real test of the buildings is how the faculty and students respond to them. Again, they are both winners.”

The college needed a housing solution that modernized and increased on-campus housing facilities to encourage enrollment growth. Most of the units are four-bedroom, two-bath with a completely furnished kitchen, living area and bedroom. Students can also access the internet and cable television in their rooms. The 835-bed facility has been so popular that it was at 100 per cent occupancy for fall 2004 and again for fall 2005.

According to the design nomination, the community consists of two four-story residential buildings and the single-story town center built on a narrow site with a dramatic slope. The building configuration and design was used to create a new residential community while connecting the pedestrian mall with the sports complex. The design met all of these challenges and maintained the architectural character of the college.

With the10,000 square-foot John Hunt Town Center, residents can enjoy 24-hour access to the fitness center and computer lab, an activity room, wide screen television viewing area, a community room, leasing and management offices, ATM machine and Value Transfer Station, a convenience store, and a prominent clock tower.

The ABAC Place community is also well landscaped with pedestrian areas that include a gazebo with grills, fountains, planters, seating and congregating areas, event lighting , and a white sand volleyball court.

The ABAC Foundation sponsored the mammoth $32 million project, the largest privatized housing development at a two-year college in the United States. Ellis, Rickett & Associates was the architectural firm for the project. Place Properties was the developer. The facility was built by Alcon & Associates and Jones Construction Company.

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