Additional housing options

Annex dorms to change to accommodate graduate and married students

Liberty University applied for a conditional use permit to convert the old Annex II dormitories on Odd Fellows Road into an apartment-style complex for graduate students and married couples, according to Maggie Cossman, corporate engineer in Liberty University’s Planning and Construction Department.

Per the News & Advance, many leaders at the university have said that students have denied Liberty’s acceptance due to the shortage of housing available for graduate and married students.

“The project will be reviewed by the City of Lynchburg City Council on Sept. 29,” Cossman said. “If (the) council approves the conditional use permit request, (Liberty) will move forward with renovations.”

Should the permit be approved, Cossman estimates that students can move in as soon as Jan. 1, 2016.

These new apartment-style dormitories will actually be cheaper than a typical dorm on campus. Lynchburg Renting LLC will be leasing out the new fully furnished apartments for $500 per month for a studio. According to the News & Advancec, rates range from $600 per month for a one-bedroom apartment to $750 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Both will include a private kitchen and the monthly payments will cover utilities, according to Cossman.

Although no pets or children will be allowed at these new apartments, it will feature a café with wireless internet, an outdoor pool and a new exercise facility for the graduate and married students. While the plans have been created, they have not been finalized.

After the newest addition to on-campus housing, Commons II, is fully constructed, students currently living in the Annex I dorms will move into dorms on Liberty’s main campus, allowing possible open dorms for incoming married or graduate students.

According to the News & Advance, the city manager, Kimball Payne, has said that the permit has not been accepted yet, and it could take up to a couple of months for things to start being put into effect. However, a planning commission has approved the recommendation to Lynchburg City Council.

Although the proposed Liberty NorthPoint apartments have not been finalized yet, Johnathan Sanders, a staff member at Student Housing, suggested emailing housing@liberty.edu within the next few weeks for more information. In addition, students interested in the new apartments can visit the Lynchburg Renting LLC website at www.lynchburgrenting.com/NorthPoint.aspx for more information.

Barnes is a news reporter.

Haywood is the editor-in-chief.