More than half of the apartments at Main Street Commons have yet to be leased, but both university administration and Main Street Commons are still optimistic.
“I’m really excited about second semester,” said Jennifer Dunbar, the building’s marketing specialist and leasing agent. “We had a slow first semester. It’s hard to lease a building when you can’t give a tour.”
Of the 188 units available only 88 have been leased, which is about double the number of units that were leased in November.
The university invested less than 10 percent of the $12 million project. That would compute to less than $1.2 million.
Even though Bradley is financially involved in the building, Vice President of Student Affairs Alan Galsky said he is hopeful and would be surprised if Main Street Commons isn’t completely filled by the fall.
“I am cautiously optimistic the building will fill up,” he said. “We would like to see the whole building filled with Bradley students. If not, Main Street Commons is prepared to fill it with other students in the area such as medical students and graduate students.”
Galsky said in the event that the complex is unable to fill with Bradley students, he is unsure how on-campus housing will be affected.
“By the end of the month we will know how many have decided to stay in residence halls or move off-campus,” he said. “Once those numbers are in it will be a better indication. We are hoping that freshmen and sophomores move to Main Street Commons. If enough students move out into Main Street Commons there wouldn’t be an issue [in residential halls].”
Dunbar said Main Street Commons is happy with where construction and leasing is at this point.
“I’m very excited about the student response,” she said. “And that they have faith and confidence in us.”
Dunbar said there are still a large number of students seriously considering living at Main Street Commons.
“There are about 30 to 40 people we are currently working with who are considering Main Street Commons and might sign leases,” she said.
Although leases have only been signed by Bradley students, the building is open to anyone.
“I would be surprised if it is not filled by this fall,” she said.“ I believe the need for a building like this is there. There are a lot of people cramped in dorms and Main Street Commons offers more space and a better studying environment.”
