WLWT: University of Cincinnati to lease two properties for students, including The Deacon

The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved plans at a Feb. 27 meeting to use a pair of block leases at off-campus apartment complexes to provide more than 1,300 additional student beds for Fall 2024.

The Deacon, located at 424 Straight Street, Cincinnati, is proximate to the UC campus - closest to Straightford Heights - and will provide 1,079 beds for a five-year period at a cost of $88.4 million. The Union, located at 237 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, is about a half-mile for the UC campus and will provide 292 beds for a two-year period at a cost of $20.1 million.

WLWT-TV produced a segment on the plan for more off-campus housing.

The Cincinnati Business Courier also reported on the Board of Trustees’ decision. (For a PDF of that article you may email cedric.ricks@uc.edu)

Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management, told the Business Courier UC has held multiple conversations with the Deacon’s management about the quality of the service and maintenance. Under the block lease arrangement, the university will manage housekeeping, security maintenance and basic property needs, according to Miner.

“It ensures the quality of the facility matches the quality of all the other university managed facilities, but especially the ones owned and operated by the university,” Miner told the Business Courier.

The addition of the block-leases also comes as the university is near completion of renovation for Siddall Hall, which should add another 500 beds for on-campus housing during the fall.

"So we're really thrilled that this fall we'll have a few new things in our portfolio," Miner told WLWT.

Learn more about housing options for UC students online.

Featured top image of the Deacon. Photo provided.