A groundbreaking for the new arena at Saint Louis University
will also mean the loss of student housing on campus.

In order to complete the arena, 12 buildings in the Grand Forest
Apartments will be demolished. This will result in the loss of 123
spaces in the complex.

“I don’t anticipate that this will make a huge impact,” said
Director of Housing Argyle Wade.

He said that typically half of the apartment residents who
vacate in the spring do not return for the fall semester, due
mostly to graduation.

Wade said that if these students choose to move out of Grand
Forest, they will receive the same consideration within the process
as other students seeking different housing. Buildings with
addresses numbered 3400 through 3410, as well as 3412, will be
affected.

As of Jan. 2, there were 54 open spaces in all of the
apartments, which include Grand Forest, Marchetti Towers and the
Village Apartments.

The date for groundbreaking for the arena has not yet been
determined, as fund-raising continues. Housing and Residence Life
will give students who are displaced by the construction priority
in choosing new apartments within Grand Forest.

This is in accordance with an agreement made with the Student
Government Association, which is meant to guarantee the rights of
displaced residents.

Wade said that Housing and Residence Life is aware of the impact
that construction noise and inconvenience can make on residents and
that consideration will be taken into account.

Improvements for the exterior of Grand Forest are in the works,
according to Wade, including patching up the green space and adding
porches.