Construction starts on student apartments

Come next Fall semester, YSU students will have another housing option on campus. Work has started on the construction of a new 162-bed student apartment building along Rayen Avenue between Fifth and Belmont avenues. “This project reflects YSU’s continued efforts to provide our students with the finest housing options and the most comprehensive student experience for their collegiate careers,” said Jim Tressel, YSU president. Hallmark Campus Communities will construct the four-story apartment building, called University Edge, on 3.4 acres of university-owned land. The YSU Board of Trustees and the state of Ohio approved a 40-year lease of the land earlier this year. The agreement allows for up to two additional buildings in the future. Hallmark, which has developed student housing at universities across Ohio, will pay for the construction and manage the apartments. It’s the first new student housing at YSU since 2010, when the 112-bed, privately-owned Flats at Wick complex opened across from Cafaro House residence hall. With the new project, YSU will have nearly 1,700 student beds available in five university residence halls, the university-owned Courtyard Apartments and three private apartment complexes. The number of students living on campus is up 14 percent this Fall semester, and residence halls are at capacity.