Rowan Boulevard Project Leaps Forward
Years of careful planning by the Borough of Glassboro and Rowan have led to the creation of an ambitious redevelopment plan that officials believe will propel both the University and Borough forward for decades to come.
Glassboro Mayor Leo McCabe, municipal officials and Rowan President Donald Farish unveiled plans for Rowan Boulevard, a new roadway being constructed from the east edge of campus to the borough’s historic downtown, at a March 20 press conference. The plans call for the construction of a Barnes & Noble university bookstore and an 884-bed student apartment complex along the new roadway.
Barnes & Noble will take over operation of the current University Bookstore in July 2008 and then move to a two-story, 36,000-square-foot building Glassboro’s master developer, SORA Holdings, will construct on Rowan Boulevard in approximately two years. The new building will be configured like a standard Barnes & Noble, complete with a Starbucks, but also will carry textbooks and Rowan apparel.
The apartment complex will be constructed at the corner of Route 322 and Main Street, diagonally across the street from the Landmark Americana restaurant. Two buildings, four-stories each, will house 884 students in 28 one-bedroom efficiency units and 214 four-bedroom suites that will include two bathrooms, a kitchen, breakfast nook and living room area. The complex will also contain exercise and weight rooms, meeting rooms, laundry facilities and a Public Safety satellite office. The entire apartment complex is expected to be complete by August 2010.
“While we may feel pressure to scale back with news of recent state budget cuts, we committed long ago to continue to push forward on our biggest priorities,” said Farish. “Rowan Boulevard is the example of what careful planning and patience can produce. I am convinced that these projects will be seen as a turning point in our history and pay great dividends far into the future.
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A Public-Private-Public Partnership
While Glassboro and Rowan have a strong working relationship, Rowan Boulevard could not be possible without private investment. SORA Holdings, a Glassboro-based commercial real estate developer, will invest more than $70 million in the construction of the bookstore and housing complex and another $15 million in the construction of a 100-room Holiday Inn Express announced early this year, also to be located on Rowan Boulevard, near the intersection of Rt. 322 and Whitney Avenue.
Rowan will lease both the bookstore building and the apartment complex from SORA, and in the case of the bookstore, subleasing it to Barnes & Noble. The student-housing agreement has Rowan leasing the apartments for 20 years, with the University managing all residence life activities. SORA will, in turn, pay property taxes on both properties to Glassboro.
The construction of the apartment complex, bookstore and hotel is expected to generate $625,000 in new annual property taxes, create more than 125 new jobs and add $34 million to the local economy.
The Grand Plan
Rowan Boulevard, where the apartment complex, bookstore and hotel will be located, along with retail and office space, is only a portion of the planned redevelopment by Glassboro. The Master Plan for the Downtown Redevelopment also includes the designation of West High Street as a retail and professional services area and East High Street as an arts and entertainment district.
The Downtown Redevelopment/Rowan Boulevard project is being partially funded by $3.4 million in federal and state grants, $5 million from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and $1 million—to be paid over 10 years—from the Rowan Foundation for studies and expenses that will support and enhance the plan.
Glassboro officials expect the greater redevelopment plan to create 125 new retail stores and restaurants, and more than 400 new local jobs.
As Glassboro goes…
“This project addresses many of our most pressing needs,” said Farish. “Students, both prospective and current, are demanding safe, upscale apartment-style housing—which Rowan desperately needs more of. They want something to do beyond our borders, but close to campus. And, those who want or need to work while enrolled here want to have more opportunities nearby. This project provides it all.”
“Dr. Farish and I firmly believe that as Glassboro goes, so goes Rowan—and vice versa,” said Glassboro Mayor Leo McCabe. “This project will be a boon to the borough and the University, leading to a transformation many college towns will want to emulate.”
To keep up-to-date, please visit http://www.downtownglassboro.com.
