Town Building Considered for Student Housing 
BY ALEX PARKER

Although current safety regulations have deemed the Firelands Apartment building unsuitable for assisted living care, Oberlin thinks it might be just right for housing students.
United Church Homes, which currently occupies the seven-story building at 36 S. Pleasant, approached the College about selling the apartment complex. United Church Homes is planning to construct a new building, largely because the Fireland’s current buildings, especially their small elevators, are not suited for a retirement home.
“The one thing we’re clear about is that it wouldn’t be good for the town if the building became vacant,” Dean of Students Peter Goldsmith said.
The gray apartment building, towering over its neighbors as one of the tallest structures in Oberlin, does not look like the traditional college dormitory. But that’s one of the reasons why College officials are interested in it.
Kim LaFond, director of Residential Life and Services, said ,“There’s been a need for space on campus, and to give students different options with housing. Right now, everything is pretty much the traditional corridor. We don’t really have anything like apartments. This would give students an opportunity to have the apartment experience.”
However, Oberlin is only in the preliminary stages of buying the building. LaFond anticipated that, if the College chooses to proceed, the building would be ready by the fall of 2003.
According to LaFond, the building would make a good purchase because the building, in its present state, would cost less to renovate compared to the cost of building a new facility. “It’s a nice building. Structurally, it’s sound,” he said. “We need to do some refurbishing and remodeling. There needs to be some painting. We have to check out the fire system.”
Some estimate that the apartment building can house between 85 and 90 students. Each bedroom comes with its own kitchenette and bathroom.
So far, the College has not made any decisions about how the building would be used.
“I think it would be entirely uncontroversial if the two bedroom apartments were co-ed,” Goldsmith said.
Goldsmith took several students from the Student Senate, and from the Oberlin Design Initiative, on a tour of the complex. “It would be a great facility,” said Ashleigh Goldberg, who visited the building in connection with the Student Senate. “I think in this situation, the campus will definitely benefit.”
Junior Katherine Hamilton, a member of the Oberlin Design Initiative, noted that the building would help the Oberlin community, and also the local economy. “If the College is willing to put in the necessary time and money to do a renovation, it could be a very good opportunity.”
Another member of the ODI, junior Josiah Adams said, “It’s good for people who want more independence. I think its too early to say whether it would be a good idea or not.”
Before the College commits to the building, it will consider several issues, such as how its space should be used, if it would be beneficial to the community, how the apartment’s open space and basement space would be used and whether there is a sufficient amount of student interest.