Whitman College investing in major addition to campus

By Dan Thesman on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Site work is officially underway on College Creek Village, a new residential village at Whitman College.

Set to open in August 2025, the new apartment-style living community, which includes three new residence halls, is designed to house more than 200 juniors and seniors. The new residence halls will be in a park-like setting along College Creek with recreation and gathering areas for students to enjoy.

College staff said some folks have wondered what will happen to the iconic weeping cherry tree when the new residential village is built. The answer is the tree, along with other mature trees, will be integrated into the landscape.

On the construction side, builders will use green building practices as the halls will have natural light, LED bulbs, electric vehicle charging stations and low-flow water fixtures.

“The projected total cost of the Junior-Senior housing project is about $75 million and it will be funded through gifts from our generous donors, reserves, and some debt,” Whitman College Vice President of Communications Gina Zandy Ohnstad said.

College Creek Village is one of Whitman College’s most ambitious building projects ever. An animated rendering of the junior-senior village is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQMwzz6ndJQ.