The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
UConn embraces city life
New Stamford dorms a hit for students, nearby businesses
“There’s an understanding that with more housing, a regional campus can draw a substantially larger number of students primarily based there.”
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
The six-story apartment complex that opened last August at 900 Washington Blvd. has transformed downtown Stamford — undeniably for the better, say residents and neighboring businesses.
Comprising the first dedicated college dormitory in Stamford, the residence hall at the corner of Main Street created a major new residential community all on its own in the city center. Students who moved in have embraced the urban experience, while neighboring establishments have welcomed the infusion of patrons. The success of the residential project now raises the question of whether the university could further expand its residential footprint in the state’s third-largest city.
“This first year of university housing in Stamford has been a smashing success,” Terrence Cheng, UConn-Stamford’s campus director, said in an interview. “The community has been very welcoming and warm toward our students and has been very flexible and accommodating as we continue to evolve and grow as a presence in the city.”
Reasons for growth
Developed and owned by Stamford-based RMS Cos., and leased by UConn under a 25-year agreement, the 116-unit residence hall responds to rising enrollment.
UConn-Stamford’s undergraduate headcount for the past fall semester totaled about 1,800 students, up 32 percent from the fall 2013 semester.
In its first year, the building housed about 270 students — including about 200 freshmen and a balance of sophomores and upperclassmen. The apartments include full kitchens and come fully furnished.
“You can do so much here in Stamford, and you can do so much in school,” said freshman Lesly Nerette Jr., a Bridgeport native. “Living here, I just wanted to get involved.”
In the past school year, semester rents ranged between $4,975 and $6,475, with utilities including internet and cable TV factored into those costs. On a monthly basis, those rates would run between approximately $1,250 and $1,600.
In comparison, onebedroom apartments commonly rent for about $2,000 per month and two-bedrooms often lease for around $3,000.
State officials hailed the dorms’ opening as proof the Stamford branch no longer operates in the shadow of UConn’s main campus in Storrs.
“It’s a gigantic breakthrough for the UConn-Stamford campus,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who served as Stamford’s mayor from 1995 to 2009, said in an interview last year. “There’s an understanding that with more housing, a regional campus can draw a substantially larger number of students primarily based there.”
Living downtown
With scores of restaurants and stores a few blocks from their dorms, students quickly became regulars at many establishments.
“I like to go to Pappa’s Pizza right down the street — that’s a good restaurant, with a lot of good food. ... Fifteen percent off with a UConn ID,” Nerette said. “Wetzel’s Pretzels in the (Stamford Town Center) mall are pretty good, $5.69 on their hot dog pretzels, Pieology — $8.79 with their pizza. Sometimes, I go to Starbucks, sometimes I go to Game Stop. The mall is a ‘yes.’”
Other first-year students interviewed for this article also said they were generally satisfied with the scope of services.
“There’s a lot to do for people around the age of 21 — it’s aimed at people around that age,” said Annika Moberg, of Sherman.
But some said bringing in more fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle or Moe’s Southwest Grill or another grocery store — perhaps in one of the empty storefronts on Broad Street, across the street from UConn’s academic building — would be useful additions.
“It’d be nice to have another (grocery store) within walking distance,” said freshman Jared Williamson, of Seymour. The only one you can go to within
walking distance is Target, and there’s not a lot of variety.”
Downtown merchants, meanwhile, have generally cheered the new group of customers. Restaurants neighboring the dorms report few problems, aside from minor infractions such as students trying to pass off fake IDs.
There have been no flareups on the level of last month’s imbroglio at a South Norwalk bar, where dozens of Fairfield University students were caught drinking underage, according to police and liquorcontrol officials.
“We love the UConn students,” said Victor Mathieu, co-owner of Fiesta on Main, at 249 Main St. “We consider our restaurant extremely approachable for a diverse group of people. We do our best to be priced
accordingly. We love that it brings in a new generation of people who are willing and exciting to try our Peruvian food.”
While they have adapted to living in the city center, students said costs quickly mount — even with student discounts.
“On a normal college campus, you’re kind of in that community and there’s not too much to do where you have to purchase tickets or pay for what you’re doing,” said freshman Emma Grimsley, of Mystic. “Since we’re in a ‘normal’ area, if you go to a movie, you have to pay for it.”
A growing presence
The mix of students living in the residence hall in 2018-19 will parallel the first-year’s demographics.
UConn officials have hinted that they are exploring expanding the university’s housing stock in the city.
“With this first year behind
us, and going into what looks like an equally strong second year with residential housing, we will continue to analyze the data and trends,” said Terrence Cheng, UConn-Stamford’s campus director. “Hopefully, the university will make the appropriate investments to further our growth.”
In the meantime, UConn will extend the residence hall’s usage. Starting in 2019, the university plans to keep the complex open during the summer, aimed at students taking summer classes or interning during those months at a Stamford company.
As for the current contingent living at 900 Washington Blvd., many will eventually move on to Storrs to complete their studies.
Not all of them are looking forward to a more bucolic setting.
“I don’t want to go to cow country,” Grimsley said. “I like being in the city.”