Ohio State University (OSU) has selected a team led by Messer Construction to undertake construction of a $370-million, 3,200-bed dormitory complex on its Columbus campus.

The team was selected following a competitive review process that reduced project costs by $26 million, according to Jay Kasey, OSU's senior vice president for administration and planning. OSU issued a request for qualifications to competing firms in early December.

In addition to Cincinnati-based Messer's Columbus office, team members include Miles-McClellan Construction. Columbus; Jacobs Engineering Group Inc, Pasadena, Calif.; Brailsford & Dunlavey, Washington, D.C; HKS Inc., Dallas; Schooley Caldwell Associates, Columbus; KZF Design Inc., Cincinnati; and Heapy Engineering; Shelley Metz Baumann Hawk; Korda Nemeth Engineering; and MKSK, all of Columbus.

Among other features, the multi-building complex will include new dining and recreation facilities in support of OSU's Second-Year Transformational Experience Program, a campus-wide initiative to promote student engagement and success. The complex also will support efforts to ensure all sophomores live on campus.

Plans call for siting the complex on a 27-acre parcel in OSU's North Residential District, at the corner of Lane Avenue and High Street, with buildings ranging from two stories to several stories.

Once contracts are finalized, OSU will work with Messer finalize design and construction details. OSU indicated it expects infrastructure and preliminary project work to begin this summer. The project will be completed in time for semester beginning fall 2016.

Project team members collectively have planned and delivered more than 150,000 university beds, Messer Vice President and General Manager Rob Verst noted in a statement.