The Idaho State Board of Education approved the first step in the University of Idaho’s plan to expand its student housing facilities by 150 beds.

During a Thursday meeting in Boise, the board authorized UI to spend up to $12 million for the planning and design phase of the project.

The project would address deferred maintenance in several residential facilities, including enhancements to the Wallace Complex, Theophilus Tower and Elwood Apartments. The university also wants to reconfigure and improve graduate student housing and married student housing, and add more undergraduate apartments.

According to the state board meeting materials, the university is trying to meet its housing demand and discontinue leasing off-campus apartments. It is leasing the Fairbridge Inn in Moscow to house up to 200 students.

The project is estimated to cost $142 million. UI will use either university debt financing or development partner financing, or a combination of these sources, to pay for the project. The financing plan for the total project must be approved by the state board before construction can begin.

The project is expected to take 36 months.

As of fall 2023, UI enrollment was 11,849 students, with freshmen required to live on the Moscow campus. The Moscow residence hall capacity is 2,275 beds.