Spring Break
Storrs Center: Putting The Town Back In 'College Town'
Kala Kachmar
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: News
"Summers aren't as bad as they used to be," Ferreri said. "I think it will take time, but businesses will do much better when [Storrs Center] is built."
The downtown project will require businesses located in the strip mall on the corner of Dog Lane and Storrs Road to be relocated. The building that houses Storrs Automotive, which has been located at 4 Dog Lane for 32 years, will be torn down. Irene Schein, the owner of the garage, rounded up businesses to voice their opinions to the partnership, which led to the inclusion of a new building for relocated businesses, as part of the project. The partnership hired a relocation consultant to make sure the needs of the business owners were met, Callahan said.
"If they make it so that my business is bigger and better, I'll support it," Schein said. "They've been honorable, so I can't complain."
There has always been the need for a college town in Storrs, but with the development of the infrastructure through UCONN2000, the need became more prevalent as it began to transform into one of the more competitive public universities in the country.
"UConn offers a tremendous variety of cultural activities, athletic events and entertainment, but where do you go for dinner?" said Scott Brohinsky, director of University Relations.
Prior to UCONN2000, the biggest complaint from students and faculty was the poor conditions of the buildings, according to Rich Veilleux, a UConn spokesperson. Today, the main concern is the lack of off-campus activity.
"A decade ago, people didn't come to UConn for the condition of the campus," Brohinsky said. "But today, the campus sells itself. This downtown project makes sense as the university continues to grow."
Every year, Enrollment Management surveys admitted students who do not enroll at UConn asking them why they chose another school. Over the years, the surveys have consistently found that the number one reason students don't attend UConn is because of the lack of off-campus activities, according to Dolan Evanovich, director of Enrollment Management at UConn. The lack of a college town is also ranked No. 2 in the top three reasons why students don't stay after their freshman year, behind UConn's size.
The downtown project will require businesses located in the strip mall on the corner of Dog Lane and Storrs Road to be relocated. The building that houses Storrs Automotive, which has been located at 4 Dog Lane for 32 years, will be torn down. Irene Schein, the owner of the garage, rounded up businesses to voice their opinions to the partnership, which led to the inclusion of a new building for relocated businesses, as part of the project. The partnership hired a relocation consultant to make sure the needs of the business owners were met, Callahan said.
"If they make it so that my business is bigger and better, I'll support it," Schein said. "They've been honorable, so I can't complain."
There has always been the need for a college town in Storrs, but with the development of the infrastructure through UCONN2000, the need became more prevalent as it began to transform into one of the more competitive public universities in the country.
"UConn offers a tremendous variety of cultural activities, athletic events and entertainment, but where do you go for dinner?" said Scott Brohinsky, director of University Relations.
Prior to UCONN2000, the biggest complaint from students and faculty was the poor conditions of the buildings, according to Rich Veilleux, a UConn spokesperson. Today, the main concern is the lack of off-campus activity.
"A decade ago, people didn't come to UConn for the condition of the campus," Brohinsky said. "But today, the campus sells itself. This downtown project makes sense as the university continues to grow."
Every year, Enrollment Management surveys admitted students who do not enroll at UConn asking them why they chose another school. Over the years, the surveys have consistently found that the number one reason students don't attend UConn is because of the lack of off-campus activities, according to Dolan Evanovich, director of Enrollment Management at UConn. The lack of a college town is also ranked No. 2 in the top three reasons why students don't stay after their freshman year, behind UConn's size.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Lee Cole-Chu
posted 1/25/08 @ 6:16 PM EST
My compliments on this article about a most extraordinary community effort. I look forward to many dinners in the new Storrs Center.
There is a typo regarding the Pfizer project. (Continued…)
Xenia Grunder
posted 5/23/09 @ 12:30 AM EST
I bookmarked this article. Thank you for good job!
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