As discussion continues about the University’s plans to sell Westmoreland Apartments, two upcoming meetings provide opportunities for students and other community members to learn about the possible sale and to voice their opinions.
The ASUO will be hosting a meeting today at 6 p.m. in 112 Esslinger to update students about the University’s intent to sell Westmoreland and to form a plan of action to fight the sale. The University Family Housing Board will meet Friday at 11 a.m. in the Bean West Conference Room to discuss the sale and make a recommendation to University Housing.
State law requires that the housing board discuss any possible changes to the University’s long-range family housing plan before any action can be taken.
Opponents of the sale say the University violated this law by seeking permission from the State Board of Higher Education to put the 404-unit, 37-building apartment complex up for sale without first consulting the Family Housing Board. University officials say they are complying with the law by holding a meeting before the property is sold.
The state board granted the University permission during its Nov. 4 meeting to proceed with the sale on the condition that University officials update the board on their efforts to aid the 592 tenants in their search for housing.
The property has been valued at $15 million to $18 million.
It’s possible that the apartments could continue to operate under new owners, as the Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corp. and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County have both shown interest in acquiring the property.
St. Vincent de Paul representatives toured the property Nov. 8, University Vice President for Finance and Administration Frances Dyke said, and representatives from the Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corp. will tour it today.
Two task groups have formed to address the possible financial needs of students if they must move and to address ways to find different child-care options for students whose children attend Westmoreland Child Care Center, and Dyke said the groups will be meeting soon to form a plan for the coming months.
ASUO Vice President Kyla Coy said tonight’s meeting is a way of bringing together several groups who are all opposed to the sale but have not been working as a cohesive unit.
“I feel like people are individually having their own meetings about it, but people haven’t really come together,” Coy said.
Several lawmakers have written letters opposing the way the University has proposed the sale, and some interviewed say their feelings haven’t changed.
“I’d say my views are pretty much the same,” Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, said in a telephone interview.
Prozanski said he wants to see the University produce a comprehensive plan for what housing options will look like well into the future.
Affordable housing is crucial to a student’s ability to obtain a degree, and “I don’t think that should all be left to the private sector,” Prozanski said.
Lane County Commissioner Bill Dwyer said he is still opposed to the sale, echoing what Prozanski said about the need for affordable housing.
“This is just another nail in the coffin for low-income students,” Dwyer said in a telephone interview.
Dwyer said his opposition won’t be as strong if the complex is sold to a company that will maintain it as affordable housing, but he would like the buyer to give preference to student renters.
University officials have said part of the sale proceeds could go toward helping displaced tenants find new housing, but they said preference will be given to potential buyers looking to continue operating the apartments.
Work and Family Services Administrator for University Human Resources Karen Logvin, who is leading the task group charged with finding ways to help families with children at the Westmoreland Child Care Center, said her group will meet soon to decide whether to start looking at options this week or to wait until the beginning of next term.
She said the process is a multifaceted one but progress is sure and steady. The task groups will be working hard to address all concerns students may have about the possible sale and to show support to the potentially displaced.
“It’s just important for the Westmoreland residents to know that they have all those options,” Logvin said.
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