The Boston-based college bought the eight-story Foster Streetbuilding two years ago. The estimated $12-million to $15-millionplan involves a 200-bed dormitory as well as academic space in thefacility. Chris Sampson, spokesperson for the university, tellsGlobeSt.com that the first floor will remain as commercial space. ACVS Pharmacy and a restaurant currently occupy the space. The restof the building is vacant.

"We currently don't provide housing on our Worcester campus,"notes Sampson, who adds that it is easier to recruit students whenthere is housing available.

The Elm Street building will be used to house a physicianassistant's program that the pharmacy college recently took overfrom Notre Dame College, which closed. The college bought thebuilding from Keyspan Corp., which will lease back the top floor ofthe three-story building. Sampson says that the college anticipatesthat the building will be ready for students by January.