Montclair State in Botany?

Preliminary plans are being discussed to bring a dorm to the area

by Joe Hawrylko

Montclair State University and Clifton haven’t exactly been amicable neighbors as of late—there has been an ongoing squabble over the controversial proposal for an expanded entrance on Clifton’s Quinn Rd. However, a new idea could potentially mend some of the bridges that have been burned.

At the end of July, MSU announced that it intends to enter a 30-year lease with a private developer to build a new dormitory to accommodate the school’s rising enrollment.

Neighborhood leaders in Botany Village have been exploring the possibility of building a 1,000-student dorm in the district.

“Anytime you can bring 1,000 students into your community with a disposable income, there’s a value,” said Greg Mayo, Executive Director of the Botany Village Special Improvement District. “The city has been looking to redevelop the area and this might be a potential option for the city.”

Montclair State has said that the school wishes to have the students in the facility no later than the summer of 2012. The school is looking at many options within a five-mile radius of MSU and is reviewing plans from municipalities in the designated area.

Montclair State’s enrollment has grown exponentially over the years, and as a result, the demand for housing has increased. The school already houses many students at the LaQuinta Hotel on Route 3 in Clifton, and there are still 450 students on the waiting list for living space.
This search for housing is meant to be a more long-term solution. However, Mayo stressed that this proposal is entirely in the preliminary planning stages. There are no specific sites being considered, no contracts drawn up or anything of that nature.

“We have a meeting with the city the first week of September,” he added. “We’re going to sit down with (the economic development director), the city manager and the city engineers to see what the feasibility would be if we were to look into bringing those dormitories to Botany Village.”

Mayo said if the city leaders support the idea, the next step would be to try and get a developer willing to invest in such a project.

Benefits such as increased business for merchants aside, Mayo said the project would bring plenty of other things to the community. Security to the dorm would be provided by the developer or MSU, and would naturally overlap with existing services in the area.

“The city could come through and say, ‘If you’re going to build this, we need additional parking for residents,” added Mayo, noting how municipalities will often negotiate with developers to get things like parking or open space into projects.

He also stated that while there are no specific plans drawn up, if the project comes to fruition, they certainly will include parking facilities for the students. One solution could be having parking on the ground level, with dorms above.

Busing to and from MSU would be included in the deal. That, combined with the proximity to Botany’s shopping district, will limit car traffic, Mayo added.

“We’re a business community, but we’re also a residential community,” he said. “We have to keep in mind how it will effect our residential neighborhood.”

With the potential to revitalize Botany Village, it’s no surprise that Mayo is anxious to get a deal worked out. However, any action will likely take time, and that’s before it even gets a green light from the city and MSU.