Campus apartments to open in fall

The construction of new on-campus apartments is under way in preparation for a fall 2012 opening, Residential Programs and Services Executive Director Pat Connor said.

The apartments have been under construction since late last year, he added.

The four-story limestone building is being built on South Union Street near Forest Quad and Wilkie Residence Center.

“Construction is going well within the timeline as needed,” Connor said.
Originally called the Southeast Apartments, the project’s title was later changed to the Third and Union Apartments.

“The decision was to change the name to reduce confusion from the students,” Connor said. “Third and Union gives a much better idea of where it’s located.”

The complex will house 102 studio and one-bedroom apartments, which students will rent for 12-month leases, said Tim Stockton, associate director in charge of apartment housing.

Stockton said the demand for the new living spaces has been high.

“We’ve already rented the entire building for the fall,” Stockton said.

Third and Union was certified by Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design, meaning it has been verified by an independent third agency to be both energy and water-efficient and ecologically friendly.

Amenities will include residential meeting spaces, music practice rooms, laundry facilities and covered bike parking.

Third and Union rooms will be unfurnished, Connor said, citing a decision to allow students to personalize their living spaces with furniture of their own choosing.

Connor said this is not an expansion of IU residential units, but a replacement for the older, recently torn down West University Apartments, which had been constructed in the 1950s.

“Union Street, in our analysis, was clearly something we did not have that we should have,” Connor said. “Students do better when living on campus. Before, students were forced off campus because there were no accommodations. It provides an opportunity for students who are involved in academic activities in that area.”