At this time each year, the student housing market in Statesboro really begins to "heat" up. If you have been driving in and around Georgia Southern's campus the last few weeks, I'm sure you have noticed all of the "Now Leasing for Fall" signs out in front of the various apartment complexes near the campus.
      I feel privileged that many of you have asked my opinion regarding different things over the years, and student housing has been no exception. So, this column is in direct response to the many inquiries I have received regarding the Grove apartment complex that is in the beginning stages of construction in the Market District in the vicinity of McAlister's Deli.
      This time last year, many students signed leases for apartments in the Grove which had been scheduled to be completed before the 2009-2010 academic year. Well, as fate would have it, the complex was not built, and those students had to find alternative living arrangements. And frankly, according to those students who contacted me, that was very inconvenient.
      When the Grove began to lease apartments for next fall, my phone began to ring. Would it be built this time? Potential renters wanted assurance that the complex is actually going to come to fruition.
      I had an open and straight forward conversation with Shannon King, chief marketing officer for Campus Crest, owners and developers of the Grove. King is also a partner in the firm. She assured me that construction was well underway, and the apartments would be ready for occupancy prior to the beginning of GSU's Fall semester 2010.
      "As you may or may not be aware, Wachovia was our bank at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009," King. "About the time that we were scheduled to start construction, Wachovia began to have problems, was ultimately purchased by Wells Fargo, and everything changed. We didn't foresee this happening, and we certainly weren't the only people dealing with that, but, it stopped everything that we were doing for a period of time. We have secured construction financing from another lender, and are moving forward."
      King said it was very disappointing when the firm's plans had to be put on hold. "We were really upset about the delay, because we knew then and know now what a great market Statesboro is," she said. "I guess if there is a silver lining here, it is that it allowed us to tweak our design a little bit, and we have decided to build the biggest and best clubhouse that we have ever constructed on any of our properties."
      King said the buildings are all going to be brick, and the clubhouse will be three stories tall. "Some of the amenities are a tanning center, computer lab, fire pits, basketball courts, resort style swimming pool, sand volley ball court, library, and a tavern-like game pool. If someone wants to see what our apartments will look like, there is a full scale replica in the leasing center."
       According to King, the 210,000 square foot complex will consist of the clubhouse and ten apartment buildings with a total of 550 furnished bedrooms. "All of our apartments are furnished and very well appointed. I encourage Georgia Southern students to visit our leasing center. Right now is the time to secure the spot and location that you want."
To learn more about the Grove, you can visit the company's website at www.gogrove. com.

   So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.
      Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com