Citadel Construction Inc., of Spokane, has been awarded contracts in central Washington worth more than $3.4 million to construct a student residence hall in Wenatchee and restrooms at the Grant County Fairgrounds near Moses Lake.

In a $2.1 million project in Wenatchee, Citadel has begun construction of a three-story, 15,000-square-foot student residence hall at Wenatchee Valley College, a community college that serves north central Washington. Bernardo Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, designed the hall, which will be at 1409 Fifth Street, says Kathi Rivers Shannon, a spokeswoman for the college.

Shannon says a name hasn't been selected for the hall. It will house 75 students, 25 on each floor, and each floor also will include a common area with a kitchenette. The total cost of the building will be around $2.5 million, including taxes and fees, she says.

Marco Azurdia, vice president of student development at the college, says the housing will provide an option for students who have been commuting to the Wenatchee campus from throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties. The school also has a campus in Omak, about 100 miles away.

"Time and gas add up pretty quickly for students commuting to classes five days a week from Chelan or Leavenworth or Waterville—or even from within the Wenatchee area," Azurdia says.

Also, he says, "It is our belief that residence life will help create a collegiate atmosphere that will engage students academically and socially."

Citadel's contract work just northeast of Moses Lake at the Grant County Fairgrounds will involve construction of four new restroom buildings, totaling approximately 7,000 square feet, says Vern Cummings, the county's facilities and maintenance supervisor.

DOH Associates Architects & Planners, of Wenatchee, designed the buildings.

Construction of the $1.35 million project started at the end of August. Cummings says the work is scheduled to be completed by early March.

"We are attempting to make the fairgrounds a year-round facility, with more activities," says Cummings. The old bathrooms at the fairgrounds were in bad condition, he says.