The private developer that brought Temple University the Kardon Building is working to provide more housing to accommodate the ever-growing residential population.
Philadelphia Housing Management is planning a 146-bed, apartment-style dorm in a former Temple University Hospital nursing home.
The units will house two students per room, and offer residents full kitchens and private bathrooms.
“The main structure is already there, they just have to tear down the drywall and rearrange the inside,” said Dean of Students James Fitzsimmons. “The renovations are going really well.”
The dorm, being built in the former Elmira Jeffries nursing home, will be included in the upcoming housing lottery this year.
The University is not running the dorm, however, and it may not be included in the lottery next year, according to Fitzsimmons.
Billing for the dorm will be through Philadelphia Management.
The University is not paying for the building’s renovation; all funding is through Philadelphia Housing Management.
The use of private developers to create housing allows the University to put more money toward financial aid and other budgetary needs, according to University officials.
“Temple was immediately attracted to this structure because it was a win-win option,” said Fitzsimmons. “With this project and several others we are considering, we are not taking homes away from the community.”
The Jeffries building will have a lounge with Internet access in lieu of a full computer lab.
Pricing is expected to mirror the current rates of Temple Towers and 1300.
A decision as to which students will be able to apply for housing in Jeffries is expected by spring break, Fitzsimmons said.
The nursing home was one of three recently closed by the Temple University Hospital system.
“We were not interested in the other two buildings because they were not in a close enough proximity,” said Fitzsimmons.
“[Temple University Hospital] approached the University knowing we are always looking for housing options.”
Safety is a concern as the University’s residential population spreads out further into the neighborhood.
Because the Jeffries building is several blocks from the heart of main campus, there will be added patrols and safety measures taken for the students that will be living there.
These plans will be finalized when construction is finished.
In addition to the Jeffries development, the University is still planning other housing expansions.
A section of property located on 15th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, directly across from the IBC Recreation Center, is being targeted for development into housing for fall 2004.
Holli Powitzky can be reached at hollip@temple.edu.
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