Miami students will now have even more off-campus housing options since Oxford City Council unanimously passed an ordinance permitting the construction of Campus Commons Tuesday. But this new development site is just one of many. The editorial board of The Miami Student believes that city council should exercise discretion in approving any future housing developments.
At the same time, we recognize that projects already underway, as well as more that have already been approved, have recognizable benefits. The plan for Campus Commons includes street improvements and a new sewer line. While recognizing the merits of the current construction projects, we feel the overall trend toward proliferating off-campus housing could result in the deterioration of the existing residential options. The current housing is not filled to capacity as it is. Even so, students are willing to pay high premiums for new housing in preferential locations. Places that were not likely to draw in residents to begin with are now certain to remain unfilled, only losing more residents to the new high-end housing.
The new developments will also aggravate the quality divide in housing. As students look first to the renovated dwellings in the best locations, the existing housing will be overlooked. Those houses on the outskirts will sit empty. Without tenants, these locations will not benefit from the upkeep generally afforded by occupancy, which will only further stifle their value. By limiting the number of future residential projects, the city could ensure that options do not grossly outnumber occupants. Such a policy will encourage the filling of houses and thus ensure their maintenance. Additional housing developments will only upset an already precarious balance that has the potential to cause the deterioration of one part of the community even while improving another part.
While we respect the zoning of the city and approve efforts to bring the benefits of business to Oxford, we think city council should work closely with the chamber of commerce to bring in commercial investment versus more residential properties. At this point, approving any more housing developments could be dangerous. But the city has the space and need for more commercial industry. A greater variety of retailers and restauranteurs would bring in comparable financial benefits. Commercial developments offer advantages to the community without the potential to leave part of it behind. The city needs to jealously guard the balance between its residential and commercial projects. Right now, it is tipping too far in favor of housing when housing is not needed.
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