Housing company examines Murray
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
Clayton Vertrees
Staff writer
Even with the coming arrival of Campus Suites apartments, some in the University housing industry still see the city of Murray as an underserved market.
To better serve the needs of Murray State students, Campus Apartments, one of the premier student housing operators in the country, began a research project concentrating on Murray's housing market. Backed by Corridor Ventures, owner and operator of student housing facilities, and partner David Seigel, Campus Apartments gathered information which included a survey of Murray State students' thoughts concerning the present housing situation.
Seigel said he and Corridor Ventures will use the research gathered to decide whether to pursue a building project, but also to design possible living facilities.
"We really want to answer the needs and desires of the students," Seigel said. "Within our facilities there are typically quiet rooms for study, computer centers, and other treasures that appeal to the students, and are designed for students that you wouldn't see in the ordinary residential apartment community."
Nationally, Siegel said ever-growing numbers of students continue to move away from dormitory environments. "This movement has been going on for some time, particularly as the schools' housing stock ages," he said. "But even putting all that aside, the fact is that the amenities are greater, and I'd say in the last 10 years, this shift has picked up."
In Murray's case, Siegel said groups like Corridor Ventures and Campus Apartments see aspects in both the campus and outlying community that hint at a wise environment for investment.
"The city of Murray seems like a very cohesive market," Siegel said. "The school seems very dynamic, the leadership at the school is very impressive, and I think it has promise of growth."
Luke Jenkins, freshman from Paducah, Ky., plans to stay in Murray during the summer and into fall 2008. While Jenkins decided against an apartment complex close to campus, he said the complexes offered attractive facilities and impressive benefits. After seeing the other housing options available, Jenkins said he sees competition in Murray's housing market.
"A new apartment complex would have to not only be new and appealing like Campus Suites, but also very affordable," Jenkins said. "That was something I was looking for when considering apartments-something inexpensive."
Clayton Vertrees can be reached at clayton.vertrees@murraystate.edu.
Staff writer
Even with the coming arrival of Campus Suites apartments, some in the University housing industry still see the city of Murray as an underserved market.
To better serve the needs of Murray State students, Campus Apartments, one of the premier student housing operators in the country, began a research project concentrating on Murray's housing market. Backed by Corridor Ventures, owner and operator of student housing facilities, and partner David Seigel, Campus Apartments gathered information which included a survey of Murray State students' thoughts concerning the present housing situation.
Seigel said he and Corridor Ventures will use the research gathered to decide whether to pursue a building project, but also to design possible living facilities.
"We really want to answer the needs and desires of the students," Seigel said. "Within our facilities there are typically quiet rooms for study, computer centers, and other treasures that appeal to the students, and are designed for students that you wouldn't see in the ordinary residential apartment community."
Nationally, Siegel said ever-growing numbers of students continue to move away from dormitory environments. "This movement has been going on for some time, particularly as the schools' housing stock ages," he said. "But even putting all that aside, the fact is that the amenities are greater, and I'd say in the last 10 years, this shift has picked up."
In Murray's case, Siegel said groups like Corridor Ventures and Campus Apartments see aspects in both the campus and outlying community that hint at a wise environment for investment.
"The city of Murray seems like a very cohesive market," Siegel said. "The school seems very dynamic, the leadership at the school is very impressive, and I think it has promise of growth."
Luke Jenkins, freshman from Paducah, Ky., plans to stay in Murray during the summer and into fall 2008. While Jenkins decided against an apartment complex close to campus, he said the complexes offered attractive facilities and impressive benefits. After seeing the other housing options available, Jenkins said he sees competition in Murray's housing market.
"A new apartment complex would have to not only be new and appealing like Campus Suites, but also very affordable," Jenkins said. "That was something I was looking for when considering apartments-something inexpensive."
Clayton Vertrees can be reached at clayton.vertrees@murraystate.edu.
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