Barnes & Thornburg Assists Western Kentucky University in Transformative Housing Initiative
Barnes & Thornburg acted as counsel to Western Kentucky University for the first phase of a multiyear housing transformation initiative at the university’s campus in Bowling Green, Ky.
The project will modernize campus living at the university through the acquisition and renovation of substantially all of the university's existing housing assets, the demolition of select legacy facilities, and the development of a new approximately 1,009-bed semi-suite style residence hall and dining facility on the university's campus. Upon completion, the university will have a capacity of approximately 4,452 residential beds. The redevelopment and renovation work is expected to be completed by summer 2028, with the new housing facility scheduled to open ahead of the fall 2028 semester.
The project is being financed with over $330 million in tax-exempt and taxable bonds issued on June 11, 2026, by the Kentucky Bond Development Corporation on behalf of a borrower created by the Collegiate Housing Foundation. The project will be developed by a subsidiary of Gilbane Development Company and will be managed by Inwood Management.
Barnes & Thornburg’s P3 practice, nationally ranked by Chambers USA, regularly advises on the development, delivery, and financing of student housing projects and programs, and is viewed as a national leader in the P3 delivery of student housing, energy, and other social and civil infrastructure.
The Barnes & Thornburg team was led by partners Steve Park and John Smolen.
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