Adrian College purchased the old YMCA building to create “College View Downtown”, new housing for their professional and coaching staff. Courtesy photo from Adrian College.
Adrian College is making a grand investment in Adrian’s downtown and is participating in an overall revitalization.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, Adrian College announced that it has bought the Cornerstone Apartments, located on the northwest corner of Church and Main streets, what many know as the YMCA built in 1910.
College officials plan to turn the apartments into “College View Downtown”, housing for their professional employees, and are excited to have taken part in Adrian’s downtown. This, in turn, would open new housing for students on campus.
“The momentum, energy and new investment in our hometown is encouraging and the college is delighted to be a partner in this effort by locating young professionals within the community,”Adrian College President Jeffrey R. Docking said in the release.
The building holds 28 apartments, with 18 of them currently filled. While these tenants still occupy the building, the college plans to honor their contracts and assist them in anyway possible in their transition.
“The college stands ready to help them find a new location,” said Docking in the release Wednesday morning, according to The Daily Telegram. “Those who have long leases can stay through the end of their lease. We’ll work with them individually and give them personal attention in transitions.”
“This significant investment in downtown housing will spark additional economic development and create the sense of vibrancy our community continues to build on,” continued Adrian Mayor Jim Berryman in the release.
Having young professionals in Adrian’s downtown would indeed encourage local businesses and entertainment to move downtown as well.
The purchase is like a “domino effect” to revitalize downtown Adrian, the mayor continued. “If they’re going to live downtown, they’re going to demand services,” he said. “They’re going to want something they can walk to, not something they need to get in the car and drive to, ” recorded The Daily Telegram.
The collaboration between Adrian College and the city sparks excitement and a potential for continued partnership.
“We are excited at the momentum the mayor and new city commission has promoted,” Docking announced Wednesday morning (The Daily Telegram). “We want to be helpful to downtown [Adrian] and we hope it will spur other developers to invest. This is just another jewel in the crown of downtown Adrian.”
Information about Adrian College’s purchase was provided by Adrian College and articles written by Adrian Today, The Daily Telegram, and MLive.