ATLANTA — The leadership teams of Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, two Atlanta Historically Black Colleges and Universities, hosted an official groundbreaking ceremony for new student housing.
Channel 2’s Lori Wilson was at the Atlanta University Center, where leaders from both HBCUs said the development is the first of its kind of affordable student housing.
The lot where the Den at 850 West is being built is usually where “Spel-house” homecoming activities take place, but in two years, it’ll be the home of almost 800 students.
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On Historic West End Avenue, construction equipment, concrete and dare are waiting to be the foundation of The Den.
At the student housing community, Morehouse and Spelman Colleges will have a joint 305 apartments, with 793 beds for students, with air conditioning to beat the Georgia heat, all affordable and all just steps away from campus.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was at the groundbreaking, saying the development will solve an issue being seen around most major cities.
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“The Den at 850 West will address a problem in Atlanta, and in most cities, that is, the cost of housing has gone up,” Dickens told Channel 2 Action News.
David Moody, owner of Moody Construction, told Wilson what the new housing will do, especially compared to what is available now.
“Every dorm had a box fan in the window,” Moody said. “And here I stand today going to build something that’s incredible.”
Moody Construction is not only building the $147 million public-private residential investment, he’s also a Morehouse College graduate, a testament to the college’s enduring legacy.
“I went to school with some of the greatest...Edwin Moses, Spike Lee, Martin Luther King III, just so many great people who’ve done great things,” Moody said. “And it’s all because of Morehouse and Spelman.”
Another testament to the accomplishments of scholars from the Atlanta University Center is Spelman graduate and engineer Tanaka Sakuringwa.
She told Channel 2 Action News that she begged to work on the project.
“I’m fortunate enough to be one of the civil engineers under Pape Dawson, and helped design this, what I hope will be, historic dorm,” Sakuringwa said.
Dickens said when this building is finished, in two years, it will address issues of affordability and safety for students at Spelman and Morehouse.
The dorm units will cost less than what students would pay to rent an apartment and the mayor says it also represents a larger investment in Atlanta’s West End.
“We’re talking about economic development right here in the city,” Dickens said. “Using local workers and local equipment and continuing to recycle those dollars, right here in metro Atlanta.”
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