New University of Minnesota Duluth dorm, dining hall delayed by COVID-19

The $70 million project was scheduled to open in fall 2021.

May 1, 2020 at 9:05PM
The University of Minnesota Duluth has extended it's spring break and moved all classes online for the weeks following that. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com
A $70 million dorm and dining hall on the UMD campus has been delayed. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DULUTH — A $70 million housing and dining project at the University of Minnesota Duluth has been delayed due to coronavirus impacts.

"Given the uncertainty in the construction job market, supply chains, and costs, we determined that it is best to postpone our residence hall and dining hall projects that were scheduled to start this spring," said UMD spokeswoman Lynne Williams. "Design on the projects is completed."

Paid for by on-campus revenue and not public dollars, the project includes a 10-story residence hall that would be the tallest building on campus as well as a new dining hall.

The 350 new beds were expected to lighten the demand on Duluth's tight rental market when the new residence opened in fall 2021.

There is no new timeline yet for when construction could begin.

The University of Minnesota has been issuing refunds for student housing at all its campuses, a systemwide loss of nearly $28 million. That money helps pay for new dorms.

Brooks Johnson • 218-491-6496

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about the writer

Brooks Johnson

Business Reporter

Brooks Johnson is a business reporter covering Minnesota’s food industry, agribusinesses and 3M.

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