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Long-time staples in the off-campus student housing scene could be in for a rude awakening in the coming years.
New and developing apartment complexes such as Aspen Court and The Reserve at Saluki Pointe could pose as a major economic concern for older facilities including Lewis Park, Brookside Manor Apartment and other apartment complexes that have been established in Carbondale for some time.
In recent years, business developers have constructed state-of-the-art apartment facilities near the SIUC campus, creating a fiercely competitive market for local apartments or houses.
The new complexes usually become premier housing structures for SIUC students until another new apartment complex is built. The matter could force some housing merchants to struggle with maintaining a loyal base.
Last year, the newly constructed Aspen Court opened its doors for business and was almost immediately booked.
Jon Sauser, owner of Aspen Court, said he believes his facility is the finest in Carbondale and will be for a long time coming.
"In my opinion we are the best living conditions Carbondale has to offer," Sauser said. "We have good amenities and good location."
The future doesn't seem too forgiving for local landlords, either.
The Reserve at Saluki Pointe, which is scheduled to break ground early this month at its south-of-campus location, will open in time for the Fall 2008 semester - just in time for arriving students.
The 11-building complex will feature a wide array of features catering to the average student and is expected to be completely booked well in advance, said Education Realty Trust spokesman Bob Hethernington.
"In Greensborough, N.C., we just built a new 600-bed community for the college there," Hethernington said. "It will be open in August and we have been 100 percent leased for a while and there is already a long waiting list. The fact of the matter is that these communities are very well received."
With The Reserve holding 528 individual tenants and a possible bump to 900 in 2009 depending on market demand, local property managements will have to find an alternate method of attracting clients.
To make units more appealing, landlords could drop rental prices or be forced to upgrade facilities to lure prospective customers, but both options would risk potential income.
Without any type of defense against the up-and-coming housing projects, property managers will have to hope their tenants remain loyal.
The Reserve also has the potential to revitalize the entire south side of Carbondale.
Kevin Baity, the assistant city manager for economic development, said the land around The Reserve's location - the intersection at U.S. 51 and South Illinois Avenue (Old 51) - is already being placed on the market under the assumption it will be a cash cow upon arrival.
Sauser said while the living conditions in places such as Aspen and The Reserve should be the best around, there will always be a niche for low-end apartments, especially in a college town.
"There is always going to be those people who are trying to pinch pennies and find the cheapest rent available to them," Sauser said. "Those people are fine with living in a trailer park or a run-down apartment. There is a market for those places and a market for us."
However, if the south side of Carbondale does develop into a prosperous business market after construction of The Reserve is completed, other apartment complexes may want to follow suit.
The prospect of a better market on the south side could drive students out of the traditional complexes Carbondale has come to know.
Representatives from Lewis Park, Brookside Manor Apartments, Georgetown Apartments and Creekside Apartments declined comment. A spokesman from G & R Property Management and Schilling Property Management did not return phone calls as of press time.
Daily Egyptian reporter Brian Feldt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 258 or bfeldt@siude.com.
