As the 2018-2019 academic year began, the number of incoming students grew. Not only were students needed to move from dorms, but new dorms were built from previous apartment spaces. The Sonny’s Apartments, previously owned by Kevin Daniel, owner of Daniel’s Restaurant, now belong to New England College and are considered residential space.
Doreen Long, Director of Residential Life and Housing, stated, “The college did not solely purchase at 20 Main Street, we purchased the building. As the college has grown the last few years, the need for housing has grown. In addition to residential space, there has also been a need for more office space. The Main Street building has both residential space and office space which the college can utilize as it continues to grow.”
Long was not able to share budgeting or renovating information because she was not included in those conversations. She was able to share that the renovations that took place were touch up work including replacing old carpets, doors, and basic living needs. Despite these restorations, the apartments look the same as the apartments that were located there before.
She was able to explain how students are chosen for the new “Main Street Dorms.” Requirements for this dorm are fairly minimum, but freshman are not allowed to be placed in this building. Currently only upperclassmen and transfer students reside there.
Since apartments are limited at Main Street, there is only space for 22 students including one RA. Long added that there are two 1-bedroom apartments, seven 2-bedroom apartments, and two 3-bedroom apartments. Opportunities to live alone in these apartments are limited, so most students reside with either one or two other students.
A current downfall to the new dorm apartments is the limited parking available near and around the building. Students still must have a residential parking decal, meaning they are able to park at either River Lot (the closest to the new apartments), Quad Lot, Union Lot, or West Lot (a very far distance from the newly located apartments).
As of right now there is no new talk for transforming any other buildings into residential living spaces any time soon, but Long said, “I never say never, but there are no immediate plans to transform any other buildings in the area to additional residential space.”
