Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, October 11, 2008

EdCC building student housing

The four-story apartment, scheduled to open next fall, will house 181 students.

By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer

 LYNNWOOD -- Sagal Osman hopes to be among the first students to live on the Edmonds Community College campus when a new $16 million housing complex opens as early as next fall.

"I'm so thankful and so excited they are doing this," said Osman, who is studying international business and working toward a general studies transfer degree.

Osman, 20, was among the students, staff and project backers to wield a golden shovel earlier this week in a ground-breaking ceremony for Rainier Place, the four-story apartment building for students scheduled to open in September.

On-campus housing is rare for community colleges in Washington. In this region, EdCC will join Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon and Green River Community College in Auburn with on- campus living accommodations. Students who attend Central Washington University's classes on the EdCC campus also can live at Rainier Place.

Edmonds leases housing in two apartment complexes off its main campus that serve about 110 students. Rainier Place will have room for 181 American and international students who will live in furnished four-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio units.

"We are thrilled to be one of the few community colleges in the state to provide our students with on-campus student apartments, something that most people attending community colleges don't have the opportunity to experience," said Luke Botzheim, EdCC's housing director. "Not only will this be a great addition for local students, it will also provide a safe and exciting community for our diverse group of international students."

"It will change the campus culture having (student) residents here 24-seven," said Nicola Smith, EdCC's senior associate dean for student life and development.

Rainier Place will be developed by Lorig, a company with expertise in student housing, including University of Washington's Nordheim Court, Radford Court and Commodore Duchess Apartments.

It will be managed by Lorig Management Service, the management arm of Lorig, which will handle the leasing of the building, rent collection and student issues in coordination with the college.

EdCC will take over ownership of Rainier Place in 30 years.

The public-private financing plan went through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, which can issue municipal revenue bonds and tax credits.

All of which brings the project that much closer to home for Karen Miller, a former EdCC trustee who now serves on the college's foundation board and on the state finance commission board.

"I'm excited about it," Miller said. "I know the need for it here. It's nice to have a role getting it off the ground."

EdCC President Jack Oharrah said the project fits the college's mission in many ways. By bringing students together from different countries and backgrounds, it will "enrich and broaden their cultural perspectives and world outlook."

EdCC student Nicole Allen offers another reason for wanting the on-campus student housing: She believes it will be cheaper than the Lynnwood apartment where she lives now.

"I'd like to live there," she said. "It would just be so convenient."



Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA