[FONT=Verdana]The [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]University[/FONT][FONT=Verdana] of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Hawaii[/FONT][FONT=Verdana] began preparing to demolish Frear Hall Monday with construction of a 12-foot fence surrounding the former residence hall on campus. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]The building, which is 54 years old, hasn't been used as student housing since 1997. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Abatement work will be conducted inside the buildings for the next month. Demolition of the buildings is expected to begin June 19 and take about three weeks. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]UH regents last July approved partnering with the private sector to construct an 800-bed residence at the Frear site. The school signed an agreement with the American Campus Communities of Austin, Texas. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Construction is expected to begin in February and be completed by fall 2008. The last residence hall on the Manoa campus was opened in 1978. [/FONT]