[media-credit name=’BRYAN FAUST/Herald Photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Though hundreds of University of Wisconsin students may mourn the destruction of landmark Ogg Hall next year, two new residence halls are in the works to serve as adequate replacements.

Planning and construction for the new residence halls has been in progress for almost two years, and one of the halls is nearing completion.

Smith Hall, located on North Park Street, is already on its way to completion and is scheduled to open this fall.

Brown added construction has begun on the second University Housing project, which although not officially named is referred to as "the new Ogg," scheduled for opening in fall 2007.

The two separate residence halls will be completed over the next two years to replace the number of units lost in the demolition of Ogg Hall.

Evans added that despite its landmark status, renovating Ogg Hall instead of tearing it down was not a feasible option.

"The design of Ogg just isn't very good," he said. "In order to make it a building that will last another 50 years, we would have to make renovations that would be very expensive, and tearing it down is just more economical."

Kaitlyn Kerr, current internal relations coordinator for Ogg Hall and member of the Resident Hall Advisor Board said student complaints and suggestions were taken greatly into account for the new residence halls. The more student input, Kerr added, the better the results.

"We have done a lot of work to accommodate student complaints about the [current] buildings, and hopefully next year's students will appreciate all the work we've put into [Smith Hall]," she said.

Kerr also said the board spent time improving suggested blueprint plans for the interior and exterior of Smith Hall, and added she is personally excited about many of the new features.

"A good aspect of the new downstairs is a big activity room, where all of the students can gather and listen to speakers," Kerr said of both halls. "[Smith Hall] also has a nice dining facility inside the building so students don't have to make a trip outside in a snowstorm just to grab some food."

Increased study and common space will help make first-year students feel more comfortable and well-adjusted in the residence halls, Kerr added.

According to Evans, some other special features included in Smith and "new Ogg" will include larger rooms, air conditioning, larger hallways, kitchenettes on each floor and semi-private bathrooms shared by only four to eight students.

"I think the students who have the opportunity to live here will certainly enjoy the features of the new buildings and have a very nice experience," he said.

However, such comfortable conditions do not come without a price.

Evans said construction costs for both of the new residence halls will total over $53 million, and students who wish to live in Smith Hall next year will pay more than other University Housing residents.

In addition to Smith and "new Ogg," renovations to existing residence halls are scheduled to begin in 2007 and be completed in 2019, Brown said.

"Clearly, we're trying to provide upgraded housing facilities with more open common space, computer labs and social spaces," he added. "Eventually, [the Residence Hall and Food Service Master Plan] will give us the capacity to house all first-year students who want to live on campus."