Johnson City’s former C. Fred Johnson Middle School is being converted into the C. Fred Plaza Apartment Complex, a new student housing area set to open in June 2009.
The C. Fred Plaza Complex will be located at 100 Albert St. in Johnson City, about five minutes from campus and a short drive from the Oakdale Mall and Wegmans.
“We are located right off Main Street, so students will be close to all the shops and restaurants there,” said building manager Colleen McVannan.
Owner Abraham Hoffman, of New York City, said he is developing in the Greater Binghamton area for the first time.
“I was told that some living conditions were not great, and that there was a need for housing,” he said. “I took a look at the area and decided that it would be profitable.”
Construction started on the new apartments in May 2008 and is expected to be finished toward the end of this May. Students should be ready to start moving in around the beginning of June.
The complex will have 79 apartments with about 166 bedrooms. Most apartments consist of two bedrooms. Apartments with one, three and four bedrooms will also be available.
The building was designed with a multitude of amenities, and the base of the original middle school was used.
“We have restored the original basketball court and the two-story library,” McVannan said.
The complex will also feature a gym with new exercise equipment, a game room, a lounge with coffee tables and sofas, and a laundry room.
The apartments themselves will have a full bathroom, a dining area with a dinette table and chairs, and a kitchen including a microwave and a refrigerator. Hoffman is also looking into putting a plasma TV in each apartment. The bedrooms are equipped with a full-sized bed and a computer desk.
All doors will be built with a keyless entry, allowing students to enter using one card instead of separate keys.
To make the complex more convenient for students, McVannan said, “University buses already have designated stops at the corner. We are waiting for a response on getting a bus to pick up students in front of the building.”
Hoffman is also thinking about future developments. He is specifically interested in developing a cafeteria area or food court, including either a Dunkin’ Donuts or a Starbucks. A shopping area is also in development.
Hoffman funded this project with his own private investment and bank loans. Apartments will be leased by bedroom and will cost about $500 to $600 a month, per bedroom.
If you would like to register and complete an application for next semester, call (800) 900-6250. A Web site will be available shortly.