The Knox Boxes off of Route 1 are slated to be demolished to make room for new development project Terrapin Row.
The well-worn Knox Box apartments are slated for demolition to make way for Terrapin Row, a seven-building compound that could help spur the local economy.
While off-campus student residencies might seem to affect only the university, the implications of such high-end housing projects are predicted to reach far beyond the student body, according to College Park Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater.
“[Terrapin Row] will be adding about 1000 more students living within a two-block walk of downtown College Park, which could have a positive influence on downtown businesses,” Stiefvater said.
Stiefvater also points to the project’s proximity to the campus as positive for the community, noting that students will be able to walk to classes rather than drive, which is not always possible for those living as far away as the Enclave or Parkside. The reduced volume of traffic could mean faster commutes and fewer accidents along Route 1 and other major throughways.
“The old apartments were pretty bad,” said Bennett Leveillee, junior finance major and former Knox Box tenant. “And the big field was a waste of space — not that many people could live there. So they’ll have a larger capacity and more stores, both of which are things that will hopefully help the local economy.”
As for how Terrapin Row will affect the campus, Mike Glowacki, assistant to the director of the Department of Resident Life, said he doubts the project will draw residents from on-campus housing.
“The Knox Boxes outlived their usefulness a while ago — from what I’ve heard this development will be a much nicer addition to housing and have things to offer that will be very great for our students,” Glowacki said. “That said, although we’ve seen a growth in the number of off-campus housing [options], it has not had a huge impact on our ability to attract a large number of students who want to live on campus.”
The property sale, which was completed in August, transferred 22 of the 29 apartments to the ownership of Toll Brothers developer. It triggered a 90-day lease termination clause, which gave current tenants until Nov. 30 to vacate the premises. Resident Life could do little to help the displaced residents, citing its already-ballooning waitlist for on-campus housing.
Those who moved out by Aug. 17 were promised a $750 Visa gift card as financial incentive — although some former residents have yet to receive them.
“We signed a lease with the Knox Boxes but, after the sale, were forced to move out to Parkside,” said Andy Lantz, a sophomore aerospace engineering major. “We still haven’t gotten the $750 gift card we were promised though.”
Although Toll Brothers declined to comment, details of the approved site plan are published on the city of College Park’s website. The project will encompass 445 units distributed between seven buildings, all of which will meet LEED silver standards. Also on the premises will be 11,909 to 12,353 square feet of retail space and a 470-space parking garage, as well as a pool, volleyball court, firepits, fitness center and various living-learning spaces. A central outdoor area will constitute a “village green,” connected by a large staircase to the university campus.
