In an effort to accommodate the University's increased student enrollment, officials are planning to construct more student housing on the south side of campus within the next year.
According to the campus master plan, the area south of Apache Boulevard has been designated as a student housing area, according to Karen Honeycutt, vice president of director of real estate.
The land planned for development includes the area near Sonora Residence Hall and an unspecified apartment complex purchased by ASU.
"We are in the process of acquiring more old apartment complexes for future development," said Sally Ramage, associate dean of student development. "President Crow plans to have 3,000 more beds on campus to accommodate the growing University population."
Executive vice president for administration and finance Mernoy Harrison agreed that more student housing is necessary.
"We have a big waiting list for student housing," Harrison said. "We want to make it possible for all freshmen to live on campus if they want to."
The University welcomed its largest freshman class to date this semester, totaling 6,348 students. An even larger class is expected next fall.
Currently, there is enough housing on campus to accommodate about 5,000 students, according to Ramage.
"We are currently developing the south side of campus for both upper-class and lower-class students," Ramage said. "The north side of campus has been designated as a freshmen residence area."
The University has scheduled two phases for the development of housing for fraternities and other student groups.
"Fraternities from Alpha Drive will be relocated to the south side of campus in residential clusters," Ramage said.
Construction of the first phase of housing will begin around March 2003 and will open January 2004, with 309 new living spaces planned.
Construction for the next phase will be completed in August 2004 with an additional 226 living spaces.
"The new housing would be available for fraternities and student groups that might benefit from a residential community," Ramage said.
The University is in the process of hiring a developer and is in the design process of the new housing clusters.
Earlier in the semester, the University approached the owner of the Oasis Apartments located at 617 E. Apache Blvd. in the hopes of buying the property and turning it a residence hall.
"In the past, they haven't been really receptive," Honeycutt said.
Honeycutt said the University didn't offer a price to the owner of the 133-unit apartments and does not have plans to pursue the property at the moment.
"We were just in preliminary discussions, and it was evident that the owner was not interested," Honeycutt said.
The Oasis Apartments owners were unavailable for comment.
Honeycutt said the University is not "actively pursuing" any particular properties at the moment.
Reach the reporter at meagan.pollnow@asu.edu.
