Neighbors react to Hodgin's Retreat
Jake Blumgart
Issue date: 3/21/08 Section: Features
On Jan. 15, the Greensboro City Council, with Guilford's support, rezoned the wooded area abutting the Armfield Athletic Field, allowing for the construction of controversial new high-density apartments. The council's decision, and the college's approval of the new development, highlight tensions generated by the expansion of both the city and the college.
Dubbed Hodgin's Retreat, the new apartments could potentially ease Guilford 's housing shortage, guaranteeing the college's support while drastically altering the topography of the surrounding environment, prompting the enmity of many students, faculty and residents of surrounding neighborhoods.
"Everyone in these neighborhoods has basically been told 'making money is more important to us than your quality of life,'" said Jack Zerbe, professor of theater studies, and one of the small community of active and retired professors who live on George White Road, one of the neighborhoods directly affected by the new development. "Some people who live around here only found out about it in the paper. No one ever tried to contact me. I've lived here for 18 years. That isn't how it is supposed to work. The only people I see who like it are the developers, and the city, because they'll get more tax revenue."
The college benefits from the new development as well. Guilford's size has increased every year since 2004 and the college has struggled to find enough housing for the ever-increasing influx of new students. Hodgin's Retreat, which is closer to the library than the North Apartments, will provide housing for up to 150 students.
"The train has left the station on this issue," said Kent Chabotar, president of Guilford, who wrote a letter to the city council endorsing the development. "Now the challenge is to make it the best possible project with the least possible damage to the neighborhood and environment."
Construction of Hodgin's Retreat will begin in mid-March. The city council vote was the last possible impediment to the development. The apartments will be operational by the beginning of next fall semester.
Dubbed Hodgin's Retreat, the new apartments could potentially ease Guilford 's housing shortage, guaranteeing the college's support while drastically altering the topography of the surrounding environment, prompting the enmity of many students, faculty and residents of surrounding neighborhoods.
"Everyone in these neighborhoods has basically been told 'making money is more important to us than your quality of life,'" said Jack Zerbe, professor of theater studies, and one of the small community of active and retired professors who live on George White Road, one of the neighborhoods directly affected by the new development. "Some people who live around here only found out about it in the paper. No one ever tried to contact me. I've lived here for 18 years. That isn't how it is supposed to work. The only people I see who like it are the developers, and the city, because they'll get more tax revenue."
The college benefits from the new development as well. Guilford's size has increased every year since 2004 and the college has struggled to find enough housing for the ever-increasing influx of new students. Hodgin's Retreat, which is closer to the library than the North Apartments, will provide housing for up to 150 students.
"The train has left the station on this issue," said Kent Chabotar, president of Guilford, who wrote a letter to the city council endorsing the development. "Now the challenge is to make it the best possible project with the least possible damage to the neighborhood and environment."
Construction of Hodgin's Retreat will begin in mid-March. The city council vote was the last possible impediment to the development. The apartments will be operational by the beginning of next fall semester.
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Neil Snyder
posted 3/21/08 @ 7:45 PM EST
As a 1989 of Guilford I would appreciate some graphics or links to a map to help me remember/understand where all of this will be happening. Thanks.
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