Western Michigan University plans to add new residential housing beginning this spring, when construction will begin on the western edge of campus. 

These won’t be dorm, these will be modeled after off campus apartments, bedrooms attached to central living areas and kitchens, with dishwashers and all he bells and whistles.  They plan to start with 350 beds.

Brandt Iden the CFO for Kendall Ridge says there are already too many apartments and not enough students and this is unfair competition.

Steve Palmer who is overseeing the expansion says no tax dollars are involved, it will be all be financed by bonds and paid for by rents. He says they have a long waiting list for on-campus apartments.

Iden says if the university decides to expand enrollment by a few thousand students, then everyone will be happy, but in the short term, they are worried.    Ground Breaking on the first building is planned for April.