Meharry Medical College officials hope to break ground within the next 60 days on the first phase of a multi-building residential project that will accommodate students, faculty and staff.

The buildings — to variously front Albion, Hermosa and Morena streets and Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard across from Fisk University — will feature loft-like designs. Three of the buildings (two of which will look and function essentially as one) will be constructed during the first phase, with a fourth building slated for the future. Nashville-based Manuel Zeitlin Architects is handling design work.

Janet M. Caldwell, Meharry associate vice president for marketing and communications, said the land for the buildings has been rezoned and that  neighborhood residents have notified of the project’s looming construction start.

“Meharry Medical College is in the preconstruction phase of the project and is working closely with Manuel Zeitlin Architects to assemble the team and finalize plans for design and development,” Caldwell said.

The U.S. Department of Education has provided funding of the project through its HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) Capital Financing Program.