IAN KAHLERkahlerid@lopers.unk.edu
Village
Flats is a new addition to the UNK Residence Life lineup of housing on the UNK
campus. It all started in 2015 with the Board of Regents approving a new
project by West Center for the University Village project. Village Flats’
primary purpose was to replace the University Heights Apartments that were sold
and phased out due to the age and cost to renovate the building.
Village
Flats is a 130-bed apartment style residence hall with 68 one-bedroom
apartments and 31 two-bedroom apartments — all are fully accommodating, with
internet, cable, utilities and furniture. They were designed specifically for
upperclassmen, UNMC College of Nursing students and nontraditional students.
Completion
of the building was in the summer 2018 and has been open for residents since
November 2018.
Joel
Kreifels is a senior criminal justice major with a minor in philosophy and has
lived in Village Flats for a year-and-a-half.
“It’s
been nice having my own place and having a kitchen to cook whatever I want,
whenever I want. It’s great,” Kreifels said. “I think it’s great for people
to get an understanding of what apartments will be like in their future as
that’s what it is. It’s not a dorm so there are some differences which are
great but also you take a more responsible mindset.”
Like
other residence halls on campus, Village Flats has a front desk that is open
throughout the week for mailing and residential needs like work orders, locked
doors and general help for those who need it.
The
new UNMC building on the UNK campus is also a big reason why the apartments at
Village Flats have filled up this year. Marguerite Crozier is a Physician’s
Assistant in the Masters program at UNMC and says the location and price is the
number one reason she stays. “I love living here.The people are nice and it’s a
good price and very conveniently located to where I, and many others go to
school. Everything like internet and laundry is also offered,” Crozier said.
“The location is especially during the winter months with the bad roads. Class
is just a walk away instead of worrying about driving.”
Location
is also a benefit for a resident who lives in Village Flats to work at the
front desk for Residence Life. “A major benefit for living at Village Flats is
that I don’t have to spend any gas to go to work. It’s just down the hall,”
Joel Kreifels said. “Working at the front desk is a great way to meet new
people moving in or catch up with another resident that I’ve seen around. It’s
great.”
The
future of the University Village settlement by the UNK campus is slowly
expanding, as The Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center opens on November 4
and aims to be a child care center and learning place for future teachers. UNK
also plans to pursue and add more private businesses, restaurants and places of
interest in the 104-acre area around and by Village Flats and the new Plambeck
Early Childhood Education Center.