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Upper Class Residences
East, West and College Avenue Apartments
Mobile home housing, 1974; West Apartments, 1971 (click thumbnails for larger image)
The West Apartments were the first Upper Class residences to be built. The apartments were built in a desperate need for housing space. Before the West Apartments were completed, the College needed to buy 16 mobile homes for housing. The apartments took a year to build and anticipated to open for December of 1971. The project was hit with delays, one stemming from the Federal Government loan “machinery” and the other from a complication in switching the apartments from private to federal funding. One of the major goals of the construction was to keep costs down, so each apartment was completed between $20,000 and $25,000. By Christmas of 1971, the six apartment complexes were complete and ready for occupancy. All together, the six buildings held 24 apartment units with 8 units per building. Each unit was air-conditioned, and contained a kitchen, living-dining room, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, suited for 4 students.
The apartments were named after six sisters: Sr. Enid Smith, Sr. Incarnata Girgen, Sr. Irma Schumacher, Sr. Mariella Gable, Sr. Remberta Westkaemper, and Sr. Rogatia Sohler.
West Apartments Gable and Dominica, 2007 (click thumbnails for larger image)
In 1980, another apartment complex was added to the West Apartments: Dominica Borgerding Dormitory, named after Sr. Dominica Borgerding who was one of the founders of the College of St. Benedict. The cost of Dominica was $390,000 and housed 60 students. Designed by Pauly and Olsen Architects, the new building was actually constructed as a dormitory, but was easily convertible to apartment style living. The building was dedicated and blessed on October 28, 1980 by Fr. Gunther Rolfson.
Groundbreaking took place on November 25, 1974 for four new apartments, located on the East side of campus. The apartments, designed by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, were to replace outdated mobile homes. Construction was under the direction of Conlon Construction Company of St. Cloud. In the midst of building, there was a statewide strike that delayed the completion, as well as shipping problems. Despite these set-backs, the new East Apartments were opened for the Fall of 1975.
East Apartments, ca 1980s and 2007 (click thumbnails for larger image)
The new complex housed 200 students. The four apartments were named after sisters who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the college. They were: Sister Grace McDonald, Sister Magna Wirth, Sister Nora Luetmer and Sister Alfreda Zierden.
In 1999 to 2000, the Luetmer Apartments underwent renovation. The plans for this reconstruction had been in the making for 5 years, with contributions from students for input and approval. The old Luetmer Apartment was completely demolished and a new one was created in its place. It held 2 and 4 person apartments, space for 33 more students and up-to-date security. A new parking lot was also part of the renovations. The entire project cost just under $6 million and was completed by fall of 2001. The new apartment would meet the needs of juniors and seniors who decide to stay on campus.
In the fall of 2011, the College Avenue Apartments opened.
Selected Bibliography-East Apartments
- “Construction at St. Benedict’s,” Stearns-Morrison Enterprise, May 13, 1975, p. 3
- “Living/Learning Program Set for Fall 1975: New Intergenerational Project will Help Bridge Generation Gap,” Saint Benedict’s Today, June 1975, p. 3.
- “New Residence Halls at St. Benedict’s Open,” Stearns-Morrison Enterprise, September 9, 1975, p. 3b
- “CSN Apartments Memorialize Sisters,” St. Cloud Visitor, September 11, 1975
- “Strike Delays Housing; Students Inconvenienced,” Vitae, September 25, 1975, p. 1.
- Crandall, Kimberly, “East Apartments to get new facelift starting in spring: Construction forces students to relocate,” The Record, November 12, 1998, p. 3-4
- “New Residence Halls Honor Four Sisters,” Saint Benedict’s Today, November 1975, p. 1
- Lang, Katie, “Luetmer Apartments to Receive Next Makeover,” The Saints, October 21, 1999, p. 2.
- Lang, Katie, “Finalized Plans announced for the East Apartment Renovation”, The Saints, November 4, 1999, p. 1.
Selected Bibliography-West Apartments
- “Apartments Planned for Campus Housing,” The Torch, March, 11, 1971, p. 1.
- Melcher, Mary Kay, “Moving in Before Christmas – Apartment Complex Nears Completion,” The Torch, December 10, 1971, p. 3.
- Melcher, Mary Kay, “I’m Living More of a Home Life,” The Torch, November 15, 1972, p. 3.
- Rother, Pat, “Apartments to Set Pace for CSB Housing in ’71,” The Record, May 7, 1971, p. 1.
See Also:
- Laudenbach, Nancy. "Despite Frequent Snow, Dorms Open August 1." Vitae, April 24, 1975, p. 3.
- Melcher, Mary Kay. "Moving In Before Christmas -Apartment Complex Nears Completion." The Torch, December 18, 1971. p. 3.
- Melcher, Mary Kay. "New Housing for 200 Ok'd." Vitae, November 14, 1974, p. 1.
- Weaver, Michael T. and Tricia J. Crowley. "New Dorms and Art Facility Highlight Campus Improvements." The Record, September 5, 2000, p. 1.
- What's in a Name?: Buildings at the College of Saint Benedict Named after Sisters
Special thanks to Sara Trent '08 for drafting this text.