By Andy Fell
The University of California, Davis, today (Feb. 26) formally broke ground for The Green at West Village, a new development that will house 3,300 students on the Davis campus.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate with our partners this major step forward in addressing the critical need for affordable student housing,” said Chancellor Gary S. May. “Today’s groundbreaking is part of an ambitious plan to provide access to more housing for our students.”
Work on the site began in December 2018, and the first 1,000 beds are expected to be available for fall 2020. The project is currently the largest student-housing construction project in the U.S.
The developer for the project is The Michaels Organization of New Jersey, with architectural services by Stantec, a global design company headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. The general contractor is CBG 
Building Company of Arlington, Virginia.
“This student housing community demonstrates what is possible when the public sector and private sector form partnerships that leverage the strengths of both,” said Joe Coyle, president of Michaels Student Living. “An affordable, sustainable living environment for the students of UC Davis is the goal, and this groundbreaking is the first milestone toward that end.”
Set on 34 acres, The Green at West Village will comprise nine four-story apartment buildings along with indoor and outdoor community space and recreational fields. A 10,000-square-foot community building will house a fitness center, multipurpose room and student support services. The project has a goal of 100 percent zero net energy use on an annual basis.
Plan added more residential beds
The university’s original request for proposals aimed for 1,875 beds. However, UC Davis, The Michaels Organization and Stantec worked together to develop a plan that provides reduced space for student vehicles and more living space, allowing for substantially more residential units.
The development is part of UC Davis’ new Long Range Development Plan, which projects adding 9,050 beds for students and housing 100 percent of any growth in student enrollment on campus.
The development will be constructed through a public-private partnership between UC Davis, The Michaels Organization and Collegiate Housing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
When construction is complete, the apartment complex will be operated by Collegiate Housing Foundation, which will hold the ground lease from the University of California. UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services will provide on-site program and residence support services and be responsible for leasing and marketing activities.
The first phases of apartments at West Village opened from 2011 to 2013. In fall 2018, the existing complex had capacity for 2,261 students.
