CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is taking an exciting step toward reshaping its student housing landscape with the planned demolition of 14 aging structures, including 13 houses along the former Greek Row. The move clears the way for a proposed new development—Saluki Village—that aims to modernize on-campus living.

The SIU Foundation is playing a key role in advancing the project by providing a bridge loan to the university, funding environmental studies, demolition, and early construction work.

The buildings, long unused due to safety concerns and high renovation costs, will begin coming down in August. Phase 1 includes the removal of six halls: Colyer, Kaplan, Thalman, Fulkerson, Kesnar, and Wakeland. Demolition is expected to conclude in September.

“The role of the SIU Foundation is that of an accelerator, and we are proud to help move this vision forward,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “Once approved and completed, it will lead to an even more vibrant, student-focused campus.”

Kupec presented early-stage plans for Saluki Village to the SIU Board of Trustees on July 10.

The board will hear more about the construction plans at its September meeting. If approved, construction could begin soon after with a target opening in August 2027.

The proposed Saluki Village would include 898 new beds, a community building, and four to five houses for special interest housing, including fraternities and sororities.

To make way for the demolition of Colyer Hall, the last inhabited building in the area, the SIU Foundation will soon move to a temporary office space in University Hall until permanently moving into the Tedrick Welcome Center when it opens in Spring 2026.