FLINT - Construction of a new student residence hall at the University of Michigan-Flint campus is hoped to be the first step in changing the personality of the commuter college.

The 311-bed facility may also be one of the catalysts in the transformation of downtown Flint, as the city seeks to evolve from its industrial past into a more education-centered future.

"In 2006 our campus became 50 years old, and all that time we have been a commuter college," said U-M Flint Public Affairs Officer Mel Serow. "So for us, construction of these apartments is a very big deal. These rooms will have everything kids look for, and it will be a far cry from your dad's dorm."

Serow said the 100,000 square-foot building is the first dedicated to student housing on the campus. About 7,000 students attend the U-M Flint, with a relative handful living near campus scattered at apartments and other residences.

Sorenson-Gross is managing construction of the $21.3 million project, which is being erected on a former parking lot on the southeast side of the campus. About 30-35 construction workers are currently working at the site. The building will be complete in August in time for the fall semester.

Bill Webb, U-M Flint's assistant vice chancellor for administration, said the majority of the suites will have four student-residents, with most units being four single bedrooms and some double bedrooms. Student lounges will be placed on every floor. The suites will have all the comforts and amenities today's students expect.

"Our focus isn't on warehousing students in an apartment setting," Webb said. "We realize we're in a competitive environment, so we're focusing on living and learning outside of the classroom."

The location of the apartments "is intended to put us in synergy with downtown Flint and local businesses, which the city strongly needs," Webb said. "We're trying to accommodate each other's needs."

In the effort to improve that "synergy," a portion of Third Avenue will be realigned to connect the campus with the rest of downtown Flint, and get renamed "University Boulevard." And together with Mott Community College and Kettering University, the region hopes the educational facilities and other developments will be the basis for future economic growth for downtown Flint and the rest of the region.

"While the U-M-Flint already is doing an excellent job serving its existing regional student base, I expect the addition of on-campus housing to contribute to enrollment growth and expansion," said C.S. Mott Foundation President William White. The foundation is a major charitable contributor to the region. "And this also should increase the momentum in the redevelopment of downtown Flint by adding several hundred young residents to other nearby apartment, loft and housing developments."

ASSEMBLING CIRCUIT BREAKER panels in the new U-M student residence hall are Jordan Vincke and Keith Lane of IBEW Local 948 and Walker Electric.

SETTING UP THE heating and cooling unit in a residence dorm are Matt Domby and Rick Gibbons of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 370 and Goyette Mechanical.

THE NEW FOUR-STORY, 311-bed University of Michigan-Flint residence hall is nearing completion at First Street and Willson Park.