Some Brandon Avenue residents are currently unable to renew their leases for the 2016-17 term. The properties are managed by Management Services Corporation and owned by the University of Virginia Foundation.
In November of last year, MSC Senior Property Manager Marian Frey informed residents the status of their buildings would not be determined until January due to the uncertainty surrounding the future availability of the apartments.
The email sent out to residents said the apartments may or may not be available for renewal. MSC is also offering residents assistance in finding other housing situations. However, in December, Frey told residents the status of their buildings would not be determined until March or April.
The properties in question include 504, 512 and 516 Brandon Avenue as well as 505 Monroe Lane.
“Initially we were told that we would know in January whether or not we could renew our leases which is about the time Lawn selection process is done,” third-year College student Michael Drash said.
“That was not so stressful because I had a lot of options at the time,” Drash said. “By the time they told us that we wouldn’t know until March or so, I basically moved on from where I’m living now … there’s no way to make it work.”
University Deputy Spokesperson Matt Charles spoke about the continuing uncertainty regarding 500 Brandon Ave.
“The University is evaluating housing options in the Brandon area and has not yet made a decision as to whether 500 Brandon Avenue will be released,” Charles said in an email statement.
The Board of Visitors’ Academic and Student Life Committee recently met to discuss the expansion of student housing, specifically for upperclassmen. At the meeting, Brad Noyes, senior vice president of Brailsford and Dunlavey, presented data from a survey on student satisfaction with housing and indicated potential areas for an expansion of on-Grounds housing.
Noyes said the best place for any potential new University housing would be along Brandon Avenue and Jefferson Park Avenue due to the close proximity to Central Grounds. This new housing would be established to accommodate the demand of third- and fourth-year students who want to live on Grounds. Currently, 15 percent of third-year students and 8 percent of fourth-year students live on Grounds.
Third-year College student Chantal Tran lived on Grounds as a second-year.
“I was satisfied with my on-Grounds housing last year but I prefer the freedom and independence apartments offer me off-Grounds,” Tran said. “I like having my own space.”
Although this causes some inconvenience for the residents of Brandon Avenue, Tran said she understands the appeal of building more housing from the University’s perspective.
“It would be a good idea from the University's point of view because it would be a long-term investment that would generate revenue for years to come,” Tran said.
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