Photo by Stephanie Mason.
Carlos Coba/Assistant News Director
Future student residents of the private off-campus development being built north of Modesto A. Maidique campus, 109Tower, will have to cross Southwest Eighth Street to get to their vehicles.
109Tower will add 542 beds to the University and will be specifically managed for collegiate housing, but it will not provide its residents on-site parking. Residents will have to park in one of MMC’s garages, where parking is provided to all students via the parking fee portion of tuition.
The development is unaffiliated with the University; it is being privately built and will be privately managed.
“This housing project is a sign that private developers are interested in investing in off-campus housing,” said Robert Griffith, director of Facilities Planning.
Due to the fact that 109Tower is a private off-campus development, it does not have to be consistent with the University’s methods of developing student housing. According to Jim Wassenaar, director of Facilities Planning and Operations, the University generally applies one parking spot for every two beds that are added to housing inventory. There are only 20-25 parking spots available in this 15-story development, designated for logistical purposes.
“When I evaluated that project, I indicated my concern with the lack of parking being provided,” said Wassenaar. “Our hope is that the private sector will provide good housing solutions for our students and safe access to campus.”
Safe access to campus and back will be an issue for future residents of 109Tower; they will have to constantly use the pedestrian walkway located at the intersection of Southwest Eighth Street and 109th Avenue, between Red Garage and PG5.
Administration emphasizes that the University and the City of Sweetwater are planning the construction of a pedestrian bridge in the area of said intersection.
“The Florida Department of Transportation is committed to creating a safe crossing for students,” said Griffith. “We feel the bridge will not only make it safe for students, but will also avoid congestion of traffic.”
The pedestrian bridge is part of UniversityCity Alliance, a project involving the university, the City of Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, and the FDOT. Construction is set to begin in fall of 2014.
“The FDOT grant is coming through for the bridge project, which will move quickly,” said Griffith.
As quickly as the bridge project might progress, however, it would probably be in the earliest stages of its construction by the time that students move into 109Tower. The date of 109Tower’s completion is set for August 2014. Until then, student residents will have to rely on traffic lights, pedestrian walkways and drivers’ discretion.
“I don’t understand why anyone would construct a nice housing complex without providing something as essential as parking,” said Valencia Augustin, senior public relations major and on-campus resident.
109Tower. Photo provided by Stephani Mason
When asked about the lack of on-site parking, EdR, 109Tower’s developer, pointed out that providing parking accommodations has financial disadvantages.
“It’s a matter of cost when you’re dealing with a development that is so close to campus,” said Scott Barton, vice president of EdR’s real estate acquisitions. “The parcels of land are limited and the cost of building structured parking is very high.”
Off-campus housing will increase as private developers step in to meet the high demand for student housing. This housing might not provide certain accommodations that are usually expected, such as parking.
“More private developers will build,” said Wassenaar. “Two to three large projects are being considered.”
– carlos.coba@fiusm.com
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