Baltimore Officials Want Vacant Lot To Become Hopkins Housing Project
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- New life comes to a vacant lot in Baltimore as city leaders unveil planes to fill it with a student housing project at Johns Hopkins University.
Gigi Barnett has more on the two-year nationwide search for a developer.
Nearly five years ago, Johns Hopkins University bought this empty lot on St. Paul Street. The university had big plans for the plot of land that flanks its campus.
This week, bulldozers took over as JHU named a developer to transform the site to a brand new student apartment for upperclassmen.
"They can be closer to campus and, again, it creates a stronger identity among the student body," said Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels.
More campus housing means fewer shuttle rides for JHU student Grace Osagie.
"You would be closer and have access to campus amenities and you wouldn't have to deal with landlords off campus," Osagie said.
"I've heard a lot of good things about the building and the stores that would be underneath," said student David Gerry.
Gerry will be a senior by the time the building is complete---perfect timing for him. And with just a short walk from campus, it's convenient, too.
"It sounds like a nice opportunity for me since I'll have a year, at least, to live inside," he said.
Two businesses---Beatty Development and Armada Hoffler---will team up to finish the project. With a mix of stores and shops, the university is hopeful that new building will attract more retailers to the Charles Village neighborhood.
"This is really just a hole in the doughnut that we're filling in and connecting up. And what will happen is it will inspire other projects to happen around it, more retail to come in the area," said Michael Beatty, Beatty Development Group.
The student apartment building will be ready for new tenants in the fall of next year.
The apartment complex will have more than 550 rooms available for students.