WILMINGTON — Starting May 20, construction fencing will be set up around Galloway Hall, UNCW’s oldest dorm that was marked for demolition last year.
READ MORE: UNCW plans to tear down oldest dorm on campus
As a result, the overflow parking area beside the facility on Reigel Road will be closed beginning July 1 and will reopen Aug 30. Students and vistors are being advised to be cautious and follow the signs posted to redirect pedestrians around the back side of Galloway.
The university is aiming for a July 5 start date to begin demolition, a $2 million project.
Originally dubbed “Dorm 71,” Galloway Hall was the first residence hall built by UNCW, opening to students in 1971. It remains the only six-story building on campus.
The co-ed dorm was also reported to be the first UNC System dorm to be air-conditioned, though this is unconfirmed. Housing 400 students, Galloway was originally designed to be two separate buildings — one for men, one for women.
After permission was granted to add air conditioning, there weren’t enough funds for the two buildings, so they were combined to make the $1.475 million building.
In 1975, the building was named in memory of Edmond Galloway, a UNCW freshman that died from bicycle injuries sustained on campus.
It has housed freshman since its opening, but after it suffered flood damage during Hurricane Florence in 2018 — and served as the quarantine building during the Covid-19 pandemic — the board of trustees decided it was time to retire the facility.
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