Progress Report: Apartment building boom caters to college students

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Growing universities like Drury and Missouri State Universityare stretching to make sure there’s enough space for students to learn and live.  Now, outside developers are stepping up, moving dirt, and building walls to meet the housing demand.

“I am pleased to see the private developers stepping forward to and doing what they are doing,” said Earle Doman, MSU’s vice president of student affairs.

MSU is surrounded by several new student housing construction projects.  However, none of them are undertakings of the school itself.  Still, school offficials say the new apartments could help alleviate dorm room shortages on campus.

Right now, at least six student-oriented apartment buildings are under construction in the center part of town.  They include the $4 million Beacon Park and the four-story Bear Village. These places won’t offer dorm life as usual.  Some of the private pads will come loaded with amenities such as furniture, full kitchens, free utilities and internet.

“Education, like many other businesses, is competitive and you have to be there to offer what the students and their parents are looking for,” said Pete Radecki, Drury’s vice president of campus operations.

Drury is helping build University Suites on the east side of its campus.  However, the completed building will be owned by a private developer, and leased back to the school.

“We will manage it, we will maintain it.  From a student point of view it will be the same as any other student housing here on campus,” Radecki said.

Both Drury and MSU acknowledge the projects will help fill a need for those students looking for "higher-end" living options.

“The more we can do to upgrade our neighborhood, our town, have quality housing for our students, that is a win-win for everyone,” said Doman.

All of the developments currently underway are set to open in August 2012, just in time for the fall semester.

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Progress Report: Apartment building boom caters to college students