“This isn’t just another project; it’s very personal to us,” Jim Schmidt, of University Housing Solutions said as he opened the groundbreaking ceremony of the Buckeye Village Student Housing project on Friday, Sept. 6.
The the future student housing complex will be located adjacent to the Ohio State University University-Mansfield campus on Lexington/Springmill Rd.
The innovative concept of student housing is a collaborated effort of several local, major entities which include Buckeye Village Student Housing, Buckeye Village Developers, LLC, The Adena Corporation, MKC & Associates and University Housing Solutions of Mansfield.
The multi-phased project will begin later this month and begin with two buildings that will hold approximately 200 students. The total project consisting of two phases will house a total of approximately 400 students in what is referred to “suite style” housing. A third phase consisting of two additional buildings may be considered in the future.
The three and four bedroom units are designed along with several common area spaces to optimize the social and academic engagement of the residents. Phase one of the project is set to be complete and ready for students to move in by Fall of 2014.
With over 30 years of housing experience in his background, CEO of University Housing Solutions Frank Murphy spoke about the time and research behind the innovative concept design behind the project. Murphy believes the emphasis on social and academic engagement is more conducive to a student body that is more successful.
“The community will benefit from this project in several ways,”said Murphy.
Murphy stated the floor plan of the project is designed to accommodate enrollees that are married, un-married, co-habitating of graduate or undergraduate status. He added,” We recognize the daily process of living in the physical plant has to be more than a dormitory.”
Murphy also said that the concept has been implemented on other projects that he has been involved with and has proven itself to be a positive element in the living and learning of the student body.
OSU-M Dean Stephen Gavazzi, Ph.D said during the ceremony,”Let us not ask what a community can do for us, but what we can do for the city and towns around us.”
The potential impact a project of this size and nature on the community is believed by those involved to be far reaching into the generations to come.
Gavazzi commented in his speech,”We are reveling in an emboldened town gown partnership.” Adding the eminent benefits of a campus and community partnership that will be the epicenter of retention and thrive for a number of industries.
NCSC President Dorey Diab,Ph.D expressed,”This is a testimony to plan what we do and do what we plan.” He added the access to affordable, quality higher education will not only lead to more engaged students but students that are more successful. It is also in his beliefs that from such a level of campus and community partnership will be developed an inevitably stronger workforce and will provide true economic development.
Ohio State University President Joseph Alutto spoke of the many advantages he believes exist as a result of what he referred to as the “One University” concept brought about from such a collaboration.
The focus on improving students lives through providing residency and access to higher education is in his opinion, “An important event,” adding “The notion of developing the full life of a student is a true advantage.” Alutto went on to say that he believes that advantage is critical to the future of the country and it’s economic growth.
“The pay off will come for generations,” said Allutto.
“The notion of developing the full life of a student is a true advantage,” stated OSU president Joseph Alutto.
