TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - New student housing could be coming soon near Florida A & M University's campus.
WTXL's Jada Williams is live at FAMU, where students and alumni are eager to see expansion in the area.
While the student's on campus are excited for new housing options near campus, many alumni are excited about who's bringing those developments to the area.
Finding off-campus housing can be challenging for any college student.
"I don't drive, like at all, so I felt limited with the options that I did have," said FAMU student Mikail Trigg. "And there's satisfy my parents because they pay for a certain amount of everything. So it was like make sure I'm safe, but make sure I like it, but make sure I'm not being too picky but make sure I'm safe. So it was like so many conflicts at the same time."
To answer that call, two new developments are in the works. One renovation project is on Wailes Street, and a brand new three story seven-unit development is on Gamble Street.
Both are walking distance to FAMU.
"There are a lot of advantages to putting student housing as close as possible to the Universities," said Roxanne Manning, the CRA executive director, "and this definitely was something that we thought would be a benefit to know that FAMU does need aditional student housing and it's in great proximity to the Uniersity, so it's easier for the students."
One of those projects is personal for the developer.
"This is my playground," said Rhett Turnquest, a developer. "I grew up here, I have roots here and I feel so great coming back and being the catalyst to start development in the Bond Community."
Rhett Turnquest grew up right down the street from where he plans to build more housing.
His parents met on FAMU's campus, owned a business in the Bond Community, and he is a FAMU alum.
"It kind of hurts your heart to come back to your community and it's blighted," Turnquest said. "It has so many opportunities and I looked at this whole Bond Community as just a great opportunity."
And it's a great opportunity for current and future FAMU students.
"It'll never hurt to have more housing," said FAMU senior Mikail Trigg. "Our enrollment is up, more freshmen are coming in so they're going to need more places to stay when they matriculate up."
Both developers will go before the CRA Board Thursday at 9:30 a.m. to ask for additional funding for their projects.
