By Tyler Casey and Stephanie Brien

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee plans to complete new freshman housing in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood by August 2007 despite recent crime in the area.

The Small Business Times reported that the UWM Real Estate Foundation received a $100,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to help pay for construction of the project. The grant was announced shortly after news broke that 21-year-old student Joe Munz was murdered on the 3200 block of N. Weil Street in Riverwest on Tuesday, Oct.10.

UWM Housing Director Scott Peak said he has not heard any concerns from parents or students about the location. The incident occurred farther north than where the student housing will be located.

“Safety is a concern anywhere. But we feel that the area is really growing and has a lot of potential. It’s a really sad situation whenever you lose somebody,” Peak said.

The dorms, which are expected to cost over $26 million, will be located on North Avenue across from Jewel-Osco, just west of the river. There will be room for 488 students and 60 parking spots available in the six-story building.

The building will also include classrooms and faculty space so that students can attend some core classes within the structure. The Riverwest building will also work in conjunction with Sandburg Hall meal plan, meaning students can use their plans to eat at either location.

Last year the housing department turned away more than 1,500 students who requested housing. Peak said that 94 percent of students who apply to UWM also apply for university housing. A spike in enrollment caused serious overcrowding in Sandburg last fall.

“I know we have the demand,” Peak said.

Peak said that he would like to have more housing for UWM students. Over 3,000 students currently live on campus in Sandburg Hall, Purin Hall or the recently opened Kenilworth Square. Peak believes that university housing gives students more of a collegiate experience.

“(Students) can create their own experience,” Peak said.

As for the grant, UWM officials believe it was necessary due in part to the rising costs of building university housing. Peak said the East Tower of Sandburg cost as much to build in 2001 as the other three towers combined when they were built in the 1970s.

The grant is part of the state’s efforts to encourage development in blighted areas. Peak said most of the grant money would go toward cleaning up the site. The site is currently a “brownfield,” an area where development is often scarce due to real or perceived contamination issues. Site preparation has already begun on the area with construction of the building expected to begin soon.

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