(From UC Davis University News Service) – UC Davis has selected University Student Living of New Jersey to enter exclusive negotiations to develop two major housing projects on campus, at Orchard Park and at West Village. The selection follows a request for proposals issued in June.
As originally conceived, the proposed projects would provide more than 2,775 beds for graduate and transfer students, as well as those with families. With the developer selection completed, UC Davis and the developer will continue to evaluate affordability and density options to exceed the prior target of 2,775 beds.
“We are excited to see both of these projects move forward to provide more on-campus housing options for our student population,” said Emily Galindo, associate vice chancellor and executive director of Student Housing and Dining Services.
University Student Living was selected from among six developers previously vetted through the UC Student Housing Initiative.
Redevelopment of the Orchard Park site will provide at least 200 affordable, two-bedroom apartment units to serve UC Davis students with families and accommodation for more than 700 single graduate students. Overall, the new Orchard Park will serve more than 900 students (plus family members), four times the number previously accommodated.
At West Village, UC Davis aims to provide at least an additional 1,875 beds in apartment-style housing, primarily for transfer and continuing students.
Since the old Orchard Park closed in 2014, UC Davis has engaged in extensive consultation with students and residents, led by the Orchard Park Project Advisory Committee. Nine students served on 
the committee, providing valuable service and having input on the design concepts and development partner selection process. Based on student input, the overall goals for the projects are affordability, innovative design and quality of life.
The proposed projects at Orchard Park and West Village are part of the most ambitious student housing program in UC Davis’ history. Other near-term projects include replacement of Webster Hall, to open in 2019 and Emerson Hall, to open in 2022. The draft proposal for the campus 2017 Long Range Development Plan charts potential increases in student beds on campus from about 9,400 in 2015-16 to a total of 15,600 at full implementation. In addition, UC Davis continues to evaluate increased density at housing sites for additional student housing increases.
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“Our goal is to provide students with affordable housing options that are close to the UC Davis core campus,” said Emily Galindo, associate vice chancellor and executive director of UC Davis Student Housing.
Orchard Park
The Orchard Park Project will provide 200 affordable, two-bedroom apartment units to serve UC Davis students with families, replacing a like number of apartments on the site that closed in 2014. UC Davis also is seeking an additional 700 beds for single graduate students, but developers are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that exceed the target. The RFP identifies reduced on-site parking, taller buildings with no height limits and reduced site amenities as site-planning options to increase density above the housing target. In total, this project will serve at least 900 students (plus family members), four times the number of students it had previously accommodated.
West Village
The West Village Transfer Student Housing Project will provide a target of 1,875 beds of apartment-style student housing, most of which (approximately 1,000 beds) will be master leased back to UC Davis to serve transfer students and continuing undergraduate students. As with the Orchard Park Project, the RFP encourages the developer to exceed the target of 1,875 beds if financially feasible.
“Each project will help the university achieve our ambitious campus planning and sustainability goals,” said Bob Segar, assistant vice chancellor of campus planning and environmental stewardship. “The projects will offer compact and connected housing with easy access to academic and student activities.”
Developers may respond to either one or both projects. UC Davis aims to identify a developer or developers with whom to begin negotiations by mid-September 2017.
To get to this point, campus planners have consulted with students, Student Housing and Dining Services, and the Office of Graduate Studies on how best to provide affordable, comfortable housing for students with families.
“We’re grateful to all who participated in the consultation and planning process and we’re looking forward to a development that expands housing opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students with families, as well as our transfer student population,” said Grant Rockwell, assistant vice chancellor for capital planning and real estate.
The housing projects at Orchard Park and West Village are part of the draft campus 2017 Long Range Development Plan’s goal for housing to increase by 6,200 students to a total of 15,600 students housed on campus.
