The Observer, February 18, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 18
Triangle property purchase has potential for students
Case's acquisition of the Triangle property at the corner of Euclid Avene and Ford Drive last December brought with it an addition to the master plan. It also created a prime opportunity for that part of University Circle to undergo a massive transformation – one of such large magnitude that this part of Cleveland could be considered an actual college town.
This newly-idealized Case goal of becoming "the best college town in America" might have further to go than the master plan to be realized. As it stands, University Circle could not be further from the stereotypical college town. For one thing, there is only one eating establishment open past 10 p.m. on a weekday night. Anyone who has been to a bona fide college town has borne witness to the 24-hour restaurants, clubs, and bars that bring it to life. With the exception of a few individual Case traits, there is no characteristic that the typical college student doesn't share with members of the Case student body. Students here pull all-nighters, they get late-night munchies, and they yearn for weekend activities with a closer proximity to campus. They also tire of eating at the same four restaurants and having only the bookstore as a place to pick up emergency incidentals.
For this to become a college town – even as far as exchanging "state of Ohio" for "America" – the university has to attach more than just an empty title to the projected end result. Not only will it have to make University Circle a great deal more attractive to potential businesses, but they will have to go the extra mile to ensure that they want to stay. In order for that to occur, the establishments should appeal to the college crowd. The addition of a more central and convenient place, such as an extended-hour drug store, for students to pick up essential items would offer students options besides the bookstore and the uninviting Boarding House. Inexpensive – and speedy – eateries will also be an integral part in improving student use of this new addition to the campus community. At the same time, students have failed to make use of the establishments currently available to them. Rascal House Pizza, The Falafel Cafe, and Quizno's are scarcely busy at any given time. Students must prove that new – as well as existing – businesses will have profitable patronage.
This purchase also included two apartment buildings, which should be offered as inexpensive off-campus housing. The North Residential Village (NRV) underwent massive changes in an attempt to unify the student body in terms of housing. However, the price alone is enough to drive students to the south side, where the proximity to the quad – as well as the dirt-cheap rent – serves as a major pull factor. If the university provided the Triangle as an affordable housing alternative for students, then perhaps students would be more likely to choose to live closer to the NRV and the university would be one step closer in realizing its goal.
There is no question that the Triangle property holds extremely promising prospects with respect to businesses, housing, and the overall community-building that Case has stressed is the ultimate goal. The university must not let this opportunity become another mock-worthy and satirically-quotable endeavor. However, this can only be achieved by knowing what the students of Case would find both beneficial and interesting. Students must be asked for their opinions on the matter and given a say throughout the entire process, as well as demonstrate that they can fulfill their duties as consumers.
