Gilford served as General Contractor for the construction of a 5-story, 185,240 sf student housing facility on the campus of Bowie State University. At the time of construction, this facility increased the number of on-campus housing units by over 50%.

The 459-bed apartment-style facility is configured in 123 two, three, and four-bedroom apartments with kitchens, living rooms, and baths. High-speed internet access is provided in each bedroom as well as cable TV access in each suite. The building also features amenities such as computer labs, meeting rooms, exercise facilities, laundry rooms and lounges on each floor, 3,100 sf infirmary on the basement level, mini storage facility for residents, Internet café, and 24-hour security desk with video surveillance and card access.

Gilford provided extensive pre-construction services to assist the developer in accommodating the project’s very tight budget. We conducted conceptual costing as well as value engineering on virtually all major facility components including electrical, mechanical, and structural systems and the exterior brick and masonry veneer.

The facility was subsequently named the Christa McAuliffe Residential Community (CMRC) in memory of one of Bowie State University’s most famous graduates who perished in the 1986 Challenger disaster. As part of a new NASA program, Ms. McAuliffe was to be the first teacher in space.