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Proposals sought to modernize Orchard Downs
Jeff Unger,
News Bureau
217-333-1085; junger@illinois.edu
10/15/03
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —
The University of Illinois is seeking proposals from consultants with
experience in private-public partnerships to conduct an analysis of
how to modernize family and graduate housing at the Orchard
Downs housing complex in Urbana.
Orchard Downs comprises 780 apartments on 160 acres southwest of Race
Street and Florida Avenue. About 1,500 people – graduate students
and their families – occupy one- and two-bedroom apartments on
the site. The apartments, built in the 1950s and 1960s, lack amenities
such as air conditioning, laundry connections and carpeting.
“The intent is to hire a consultant with extensive expertise and
experience to perform an in-depth analysis of the feasibility of a long-term
non-subordinated ground lease with one or more private developers to
renovate or replace Orchard Downs Family and Graduate Apartment Housing
and create mixed-use housing in this neighborhood, said Patricia Askew, vice chancellor for student affairs.
“Modern, affordable facilities for family and graduate housing
are vital if the university is to attract, retain and compete with our
peer institutions for graduate students. It is our intention to keep
rental rates affordable, and, if possible, generate income for strategic
priorities,” she said.
“The goal is that the consulting firm selected will identify options
for the university to consider, research many technical issues, document
market demand for various housing types, provide detailed analysis of
financing options with income streams and tax revenues, and address
legal constraints. A central part of the process will be a structured
consultation with key stakeholders.”
The campus hopes that by January it will have chosen the consulting
firm to conduct this confidential study, and the chosen firm is expected
to conclude the study in May 2004. Any consultant hired would be ineligible
to serve as a future developer of the site or from having ownership
interest in the company that may develop it.
Planners also will look at options for developing the unoccupied land
by adding housing, commercial ventures, or both.
“I want to assure the residents of Orchard Downs that the university
will continue to provide housing for them throughout the entire planning
and development process,” Askew said.
