Kent State Students’ Impact Extends Outside of the University
By, Maria DeBone and Chad Flannery
As the student population of Kent State University changes, the surrounding area must adapt. While it is easy to see the effects the students have on the university itself, what isn’t so easy to spot is their impact on the city of Kent.
Established apartment complexes such as The Province, which has been open since 2012, have experienced a decrease in residence as of late. Currently, The Province sits at 87.5% occupancy, which sits a little lower than the normal occupancy they are used to.
“We have been at or near fully occupancy since we opened,” said Craig Wack, Press Coordinator for Greystar, the company who manages The Province. “This year we, along with the rest of the market, had an uncharacteristic dip in occupancy.”
This decline in tenancy could be attributed to the abundant amount of options for off campus living in the City of Kent. Another possible cause could be the decline in enrollment that Kent State University has experienced recently.
Despite this knowledge, private development companies continue to build new complexes in Kent. Latitude at Kent, a new luxury apartment option opening in the Fall of 2019, believes that they offer something that the community needs.
“We believe in the importance of creating a true community catered to what is important to our residents,” said Brittni Horn, Leasing and Marketing Manager for Latitude at Kent. “Latitude will never be “just another bed for students,” we pride ourselves on going above and beyond to ensure we are always enriching the student’s experience.”
Latitude at Kent, which is positioned near the heart of campus, directly across from the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, plans to have 384 private suites in 126 units on the property.
Bridget Susel, the Community Development Director for the city of Kent, said Latitude at Kent is continuing a familiar trend by increasing student housing.
“Between 2010 and 2015, we had over 2600 beds of new student-oriented housing that was constructed,” she said.
To Susel, there isn’t a need for more student housing.
In a 2016, the city of Kent with Kent State University conducted a study called the Comprehensive Community Housing Study and Needs Analysis. In this study, the city found out something alarming when it comes to off-campus student housing.
“It highlights that we have constructed more of the student-oriented, rent-per-bed model, than any other housing and if it continued at the pace it was going that we would have challenges,” said Susel.
Yet, Horn said they were not turned away by the decline in occupancy that other complexes are experiencing, rather they believe there is more than enough students to go around.
“Knowing that Kent State’s enrollment is currently around 26,000, we believe there are plenty of students that are in need of housing in the area,” Horn said.
With a number that large, the student population is bound to have a large effect on the City of Kent. Some businesses in the area have experienced a decline in traffic over school breaks.
However, Wack says that the decline during summer break is normal since that is when leases are typically done. Students begin to move out at the end of the spring semester, which would correlate well with the decrease in foot traffic.
“Summer is the busiest time for any student housing community,” he said. “Move-out is at the end of July, then in mid-to late August the next class of students move in.
Despite having a few slow times throughout the year, businesses in downtown Kent believe the increase in off campus housing has had a positive effect overall.
Susel agrees that the students have a large impact on Kent and welcomes students to explore the shops and restaurants downtown more often.
“We obviously want students, as well as other visitors to the city, to come and support,” she said.
Horn believes that Latitude at Kent will help the residents of the city continue to have a positive effect.
“We will be providing Kent residents with a new luxury housing option, which we hope will help continue the trend of growing new small businesses and developments Kent has seen in the last few years,” she said.
Whether or not that is the case remains to be seen.
News package: Maria
Written story: Chad
Interactive chart: Chad
Audio clips: Maria
