At least 600 beds in new luxury off-campus apartments could be available to Binghamton University students by fall 2010.

Over the summer a partnership between local corporation Newman Development and the Troy-based United Group of Companies (UGOC) was finalized, with plans to build a potentially seven- to eight-story student housing complex Downtown across from Confluence Park at Washington Street and Riverside Drive.

“This project has been under discussion for the last six to eight months,” said John D. Ball, executive vice president and chief operating officer of UGOC.

Ball said that though plans still need to be finalized, students should expect the complex to include a fully-equipped weight room, coffee shop, study rooms and possibly a small store where residents could buy light food.

Apartment options are expected to range from one- to four-bedroom suites, all with their own kitchen.

“All bedrooms will be for single residents, and all completely furnished,” Ball said, explaining that rent for similar properties, like University Plaza, range from $600 to $700 per month.

According to Ball, the state-of-the-art project will be environmentally friendly.

“[The project] will be completely green, with renewable resources,” Ball explained.

Unlike other housing projects proposed in the Town of Vestal over the last six months, in which residents and town officials opposed the plans, the housing complex proposed by Newman Development and UGOC has been welcomed by the surrounding area.

“We are very encouraged that the project will have a great benefit on the local economy,” said Andrew Block, director of community relations for the City of Binghamton. “This could catalyze economic growth in the Downtown area.”

Block emphasized that increased foot traffic in Downtown Binghamton could help a variety of sectors — retail stores, restaurants and other businesses — by bringing more customers and more potential employees into the area.

Ball was also optimistic about the complex’s impact Downtown.

“This project is an opportunity to blend student housing with city renewal,” he said.

But Newman and UGOC aren’t the only ones who have shown interest in building additional off-campus housing options for students.

At the end of July, Campus Crest, a North Carolina company, withdrew its request for a use variance to build a housing complex on Bunn Hill Road. The company’s plans first made news last semester when Vestal residents flooded a town hall meeting with complaints about the plans.

No working phone numbers for the developer could be found.

Plans to add onto the Hayes Community have also been put on hold. When reached for comment, a representative of the community said it would not comment until any possible plans were finalized.