United Realty wants to take over former St. John's High School, has similar projects in other cities

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH -- The developer of a proposed student housing project in Plattsburgh says the company enlists a strict policy toward drinking and smoking.

"There will be no smoking or drinking on the premises. We have zero tolerance for that," John Ball, chief operating officer of United Realty Management Corp. of Albany, told city councilors Thursday night.

United is proposing a 400-unit student housing development at the site of the former St. John's High School on Broad Street right next to the Plattsburgh State campus.

Each four-bedroom unit would have two bathrooms, a full kitchen and a common living room area. Telephone, cable television and internet service are also provided.

Security provided

The development would feature on-site management and security around the clock.

Ball, who visited the council at the request of Mayor Donald Kasprzak, showed councilors drawings of the plan, which looked very similar to Macdonough Hall on campus.

A final proposal will be submitted to the council in about two or three weeks, Ball said.

The project has drawn great interest in the Center City as residents there continue their fight against unruly behavior by college students living off campus.

Some are concerned that adding more students to the Broad Street area will not help the situation.

Per-unit limit critical

Some also support a proposed law change in the city that would reduce the number of non-blood related people living in a unit from four to three.

Ball reiterated his claim that such a reduction would sink United's plans for the St. John's property.