2008 Woodie Awards
St. John's student housing plans stalled
Ben Pomerance
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Originally published: 11/29/07 at 6:37 PM EST
Last update: 11/29/07 at 6:36 PM EST
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In the summer of 2006, United Real Estate Group began looking into the possibility of constructing a new "higher-end" student housing building near the Plattsburgh State campus.
After much discussion and dissent among vocal residents of Plattsburgh's Center City, however, United Group Chief Operating Officer John Ball was forced to withdraw his plans to turn the former Seton Catholic Academy building on North Catherine Street into student suites.
Last month, United Group signed a $1 million contract to purchase Plattsburgh's St. John's Academy building and seven acres of adjoining land on Broad Street, planning to tear down the existing vacant buildings on the lot and replace them with a $23 million high-rise student apartment building, complete with a private gymnasium, study centers and guaranteed parking.
Recent Center City and City of Plattsburgh Common Council activities, however, have left Ball wondering whether he will once again have to terminate his student housing plans.
A new proposed city ordinance recommended by members of the Plattsburgh Center City-College Commission would limit the number of unrelated people allowed to live in one apartment to three, one fewer than the current city limit of four.
In their report to the Common Council, commission members state that the new ordinance would serve to "decrease the density of people within city living spaces" and is "necessary to protect the health and safety of the people of the City of Plattsburgh."
Yet for Ball and United Group, the new ordinance would have another, less desirable effect - the likely cancellation of the new student housing project, a plan designed around the belief that the majority of the suites would be occupied by four students.
"If this ordinance were passed by the Common Council, I can tell you that we will almost certainly shut this project down," Ball said. "We do not want to do this, as we think it would be negative for our business and for the City of Plattsburgh. But we are prepared to take this step if the situation calls for it."
After much discussion and dissent among vocal residents of Plattsburgh's Center City, however, United Group Chief Operating Officer John Ball was forced to withdraw his plans to turn the former Seton Catholic Academy building on North Catherine Street into student suites.
Last month, United Group signed a $1 million contract to purchase Plattsburgh's St. John's Academy building and seven acres of adjoining land on Broad Street, planning to tear down the existing vacant buildings on the lot and replace them with a $23 million high-rise student apartment building, complete with a private gymnasium, study centers and guaranteed parking.
Recent Center City and City of Plattsburgh Common Council activities, however, have left Ball wondering whether he will once again have to terminate his student housing plans.
A new proposed city ordinance recommended by members of the Plattsburgh Center City-College Commission would limit the number of unrelated people allowed to live in one apartment to three, one fewer than the current city limit of four.
In their report to the Common Council, commission members state that the new ordinance would serve to "decrease the density of people within city living spaces" and is "necessary to protect the health and safety of the people of the City of Plattsburgh."
Yet for Ball and United Group, the new ordinance would have another, less desirable effect - the likely cancellation of the new student housing project, a plan designed around the belief that the majority of the suites would be occupied by four students.
"If this ordinance were passed by the Common Council, I can tell you that we will almost certainly shut this project down," Ball said. "We do not want to do this, as we think it would be negative for our business and for the City of Plattsburgh. But we are prepared to take this step if the situation calls for it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
John
posted 12/05/07 @ 10:13 AM EST
This is disgraceful. I am ashamed that the city would even consider passing an ordinance that would keep United Group out of town. A quality off-campus housing site is exactly what this town needs. (Continued…)
Hater08
Mike
posted 12/08/07 @ 1:02 AM EST
Passing an ordinance of only 3 people per apartment will not do anything. It will hurt landlords who have to leave a room open and lead students to infiltrate the center city even more. (Continued…)
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