Recent housing issues have taken on prime importance with Temple students living at the Edge at Avenue North.
In addition to the increase in building evacuations in recent weeks, the announcement that the Edge was sold to a new developer has not only raised eyebrows but also has left students with unanswered questions.
The Edge was purchased from Tower Investments by Campus Living Villages, a Houston-based private housing developer that focuses primarily on college student housing, on Oct. 31.
Officials from the Edge could not be reached for comment as of Monday afternoon.
Many Edge residents learned about the purchase through a letter distributed by the building’s management, leaving several students baffled by the announcement.
“They informed us promptly that the current living costs would remain the same and about the different payment methods introduced,” Edge resident and sophomore sociology major Erin O’Rourke said.
“Other details such as information on renewal and registrations, future living costs, information on the new company, its management and more importantly how new ownership would change its relationship for future plans with Temple University must be informed.” she added. “This would come extremely handy especially for new incoming students for the spring semester and their parents.
In relation to these concerns, Michael Scales, the director of University Housing and Residential Life and assistant vice-president for Student Affairs, said the housing office is constantly trying to keep its students updated. He said University Housing is currently in negotiations with the Edge management over certain areas including the number of Temple Housing floors in the building and living costs. The Edge currently has official Temple Housing on floors two through five.
“It’s our [highest] priority in situations like these to avoid keeping the students in the dark,” Scales said.
“However, for the time being, all our registration and renewal processes, costs and number of floors allocated for University Housing [at the Edge] will remain the same,” Scales said. “If any changes are finalized, we will inform our students promptly. The transition – if any – will be a seamless one,”
Students with individual leases at the Edge should remain constantly in contact with management, Scales advised.
Kunal Parekh can be reached at kunalparekh@temple.edu.
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