University Village will begin renting in two weeks

By: Erin Miller/ City Editor

Posted: 8/29/05

The developers of the much disputed University Village will open their model home within the next two weeks so leasing can begin in two weeks.

Art McManus, University Village developer, said the hardest part is over and construction can start.

"There is no doubt in my mind that we will be done by fall," McManus said. "The most difficult part was not having the backing of the city."

The burgundy-colored model home at 1405 6th St. will give students the opportunity to see a University Village house and will also serve as the leasing office.

One opportunity of living in a newly constructed subdivision is the tenant can pick his or her location.

McManus will have a site-plan model in the leasing office so students can see the layout of the subdivision.

The 124 rental units will be located by Wal-Mart, which is a little over a mile from campus.

The Charleston City Council turned down University Village before it was finally passed May 3, which was the first city council meeting with the new council members.

All of the city council members voted in favor of University Village with the exception of Lorelei Sims.

Some of Sims concerns stemmed from the location of the housing development. She felt that the location was not convenient to campus.

McManus said Campus Pointe at EIU, which is also located by Wal-Mart, is 100 percent rented this fall.

Steven Pingolt, a senior communication studies major, lives in Campus Pointe and does not have a problem getting to campus.

He takes his car to class and leaves 10 minutes before class starts.

"It's nothing to complain about," Pingolt said.

University Village will have 28 houses and 48 duplex buildings surrounding a three-acre park.

All of the units will have central air and the bedrooms will have built-in desks.

Some of the appeal of University Village is it will look like a rental subdivision.

City Council Member Larry Rennels voted for University Village every time it was presented before city council.

Rennels voted for it because it met all of the requirements of the Unified Development Code, and that did not leave a reason to vote against it.

"I think it will have a positive economic impact on Charleston," Rennels said.

Construction on the project will begin in November and should be completed summer of 2006.