Huge Univ. Dorm Plan Raises Concerns In Historic Neighborhood

Less than a decade ago Suffolk University added a dormitory to the housing equation in the Beacon Hill area of Boston, now it has plans for another, a larger mixed-use building. "The Suffolk proposal includes a student center (5 floors), essentially making this building the heart of its campus activities as well as a dorm that doubles Suffolk's current number of dormitory beds. This proposed dorm and the existing dorm at 10 Somerset will mean a total student population on Beacon Hill of 1,000 students."

"Beacon Street resident Billie Lawrence said she worked closely with Suffolk when it built its 10 Somerset dorm a few years ago and was happy with the final product because their plans did not call for any additional student housing. This project, however, tips the scales. “We feel both shocked and betrayed,” she said. “You can promise us everything, [but] the trust is gone.”"

Molly Sherden, vice-president of government affairs for the Beacon Hill Civic Association "said she is not opposed to a dorm, per se, but the size of the one proposed is an issue. Alternatively, if Suffolk renovated the property at 20 Somerset Street to house classrooms, the project would be more appealing. “We think the problem is Suffolk not talking about different possibilities,...”

Thanks to CollegeTownLife.com