TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- A 60-year-old student housing complex will soon close its doors. Florida State University's Alumni Village, located on Tallahassee's south side, is scheduled to close for good on August 22, 2014.
The decision to close Alumni Village was based on the fact that the cost of refurbishing the aged facilities was projected to be $70 million dollars over the next 10 years. Officials say the complex "has reached the end of its useful life," especially in terms of the building's heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical infrastructure.
Another factor considered in the decision is a declining occupancy rate at Alumni Village. The facility is also located two miles from the main campus, and officials say there aren't enough convenient transportation, grocery, restaurant , and entertainment options available for students.
After Alumni Village is closed, it will be fully decommissioned. The housing structures are scheduled to be torn down, and the land will be converted into green space.
The infant-toddler center and preschool facility will continue to operate on the site after the housing areas are closed, The facilities managed for visitors by the Magnet Lab will also remain open.
The current 442 leaseholders in Alumni Village were made aware of the decision via email and a residents meeting, where University Housing Department officials answered their questions. The residents will be provided information on alternative housing.
Most of the leaseholders at Alumni Village are graduate students and older undergraduate students. The complex also houses some families and married couples.
"Surveys of the local market show that there is more than an adequate supply of alternative rental properties and on-campus housing options to accommodate Alumni Village residents,” said Adrienne Frame, director, University Housing. “While on-campus housing does not accommodate married students with children, there are many options in the local Tallahassee housing market for students with families, much of it in closer proximity to the main campus than Alumni Village. We will be working with the leaseholders over the next 15 months prior to closing the complex to assist them with their transition to other housing.”
Administration & Professional (A & P) and University Support Personnel System (USPS) employees working at Alumni Village will be reassigned to other University Housing duties after the complex closes.
