Could UAB's record enrollment numbers mean more downtown residential development? (Birmingham: apartments, rent)

[GotLuv4Bham]

UAB'S enrollment numbers are increasing steadily, and it is now being reported that the university is no longer a commuter school. There are over 2000 residential units being developed right now in the downtown area. Could these record enrollment numbers add fuel to the residential construction boon already taking place in the city center?


http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingha...nrollment.html


UAB enrollment jumps 6.5 percent to record high | AL.com

[Tourian]

It is going to have to. The demand will be there to cater to student life and the needs of housing them, feeding them, selling them goods and entertaining them...and employing them. The UA system's attempt to kill UAB football may be part of a catalyst that has kicked a not so sleeping giant into an even higher gear.

[steveklein]

Yes, it could.

There's still an awful lot of UAB students commuting in from the suburbs. I don't know the percentage, but it's high. One of the primary reasons many people from schools around Birmingham go to UAB is to save money by living at home. That segment of the population is not in the market for a $1200 studio.

[mrchance33]

Originally Posted by steveklein

Yes, it could.

There's still an awful lot of UAB students commuting in from the suburbs. I don't know the percentage, but it's high. One of the primary reasons many people from schools around Birmingham go to UAB is to save money by living at home. That segment of the population is not in the market for a $1200 studio.

The Freshman class is 72.7% on campus. From my experience just graduating last year, most of the kids who lived at home freshman year, stayed there for all four years. Most of those that stayed on campus their first year usually lived in the surrounding area (On campus, southside, etc) for all four years and have continued to do so afterwords, unless they got a job somewhere else. Staying on campus was the best experience of my life, although I understand why some chose not too.

[wetdawg]

I know of some students that are staying in those apartments above regions field

[TimCity2000]

Yeah, I've heard that apartments like The Venue allow you to basically rent a room, so some of them feel like dorms. That's the only way you'll get college students in at that price point.

[GotLuv4Bham]

Some students are calling the downtown campus overpopulated.


WBRC : UAB responds to what student calls "over population' on campus