The University of Hawai'i-Manoa is moving ahead with plans to develop new student housing after Interim Chancellor Denise Konan last week signed off on an agreement to begin the design process.

American Campus Communities, a private developer selected by the Board of Regents in July to rebuild Frear, Gateway and Johnson halls, will begin developing conceptual design plans, budgets and a construction schedule.

This plan addresses Manoa's housing shortage, which has been growing steadily since 2000, paralleling a 19 percent increase in enrollment from 2000 to 2004. said Jim Manke, UH-Manoa spokesman. On-campus housing has become more desirable over the years because of convenience and rooming fees that are typically lower than off-campus rentals, Manke said.

First priority is the development of about 800 beds at the Frear Hall site.

If UH determines American Campus Communities' plan is feasible, UH officials said the private developer and the university will move on to development and construction. The first new student residence hall at the Manoa campus is targeted to open in fall 2008.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.