<p>I was hoping that someone on this board would know if USC was in the process of building more housing for undergraduates. There seems to be a huge constuction project at the corner of Figueroa and the northern edge of campus, but not a lot of progress seems to have been made. At one point, I was told that this was going to be student housing, but I'm wondering if with the current economic crisis, construction projects that weren't already fully funded with dedicated gifts (as with the new film school building) have come to a grinding halt. Does anyone have info?</p>
<p>It is student housing, but not run by USC. Instead it is run by an outside firm that partnered with USC. After it is constructed, USC will put a bookstore down there. However, USC just acquired a bunch of conquest’s housing. In 2010 it will be fully incorporated in the system.</p>
<p>I hope housing is guaranteed for Juniors in the 2010-2011 school year, that’d be so useful for me xD</p>
<p>Nikara – Do you know if the partnership with USC ends with the bookstore that’s going in, or will USC housing administer the rooms/apartments? Do we know when the units will be finished? I’m wondering if the housing is meant to accomodate undergrad or graduate students. It would be great if there were junior/senior housing that close to campus soon!</p>
<p>I have no idea about the rest of it. I doubt that USC will be adminstrating the rooms, but taht could be wrong. I know that there are some old daily trojan articles on this, but I’m not sure where they are. I have a feeling that they are similar to conquest housing- for whoever wants them.</p>
<p>The gateway housing building on the north corner of campus is private housing that has worked with USC. I wouldn’t say it’s an endorsed building of USC, but the company has consulted with USC to see what they would like. But it end mostly at the bookstore and what retail will be on the ground floor. USC won’t be managing the building and doesn’t own it. It will no different than willing at any other private housing in the area. </p>
<p>As far as Conquest housing, they were trying to block this building as they had a fairly large market of the private student housing around USC. And they made arguements that they wouldn’t have enough parking and other excuses. Since USC was getting mad that Conquest was driving up rates and trying to eliminate competition, that they helped the organization as they themselves were trying to act against Conquest. But Conquest went into financial problems and sold most of their property and those properties went to a company (USC didn’t buy them) that worked with USC such as using USC housing for work orders and be allowed to pay rent at USC housing office. I don’t think Gateway will be this involved with USC, but they likely will continue to consult with USC. And it is meant to be completed for the 10-11 school year. </p>
<p>There is also talk of building another building on the site where a Chevron station is, next to the Radisson, since the lease is almost up on that land.</p>