Economic problems not affecting Academic Village project

Despite national economic problems, Point Park and its $210 million Academic Village project are still doing fine, Point Park University President Paul Hennigan said at a press conference last Thursday.

The press conference was called for both an update on the progress of the project one year after it was announced and its economic impact.

The project will result in a new student center, a park, enhancements to the Wood Street corridor and Boulevard of the Allies, a gymnasium, more student housing and moving the Pittsburgh Playhouse Downtown to Forbes Avenue.

Cited as a main reason for continued stability was the new study released by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The study shows that the project will generate than $280 million in value to the economy while also creating more than 3,700 new jobs, both part-time and full-time.

"In spite of economic uncertainty, we are still doing fine, thanks to the work of faculty and staff," Hennigan said at the press conference.

Mariann Geyer, vice president of University Advancement, cited the study as proving that the project is an even better idea because of the troubling economy.

"The Pennsylvania Economy League study released this week validates that the realization of the Academic Village Initiative is not only good for the University but the economic boost that will help bolster the economy in these challenging times," Geyer said in an e-mail statement.

"We continue to be aware of the state of the economy in the region, the nation and the world," Geyer said. "Our plan for the Academic Village remains the same."

And although a majority of the students agree, the gap has closed somewhat about whether or not the project should stop. An unscientific survey, conducted first in February and then again in March by a Point Park journalism class, shows that some support of the project has been lost, at least in part due to the troubling economy.

The survey of 44 students showed different results from a survey in February that asked 96 students their opinion on the project. Then, 54 percent were in favor of the project moving forward, but now the number is at 41 percent, a decrease of 12 percent.

Those who want some parts of the project to be put on hold while others continue as normal has stayed almost the same, from 22 percent last month to 20 percent this month, but there has been a sharp increase in those who want the project stopped altogether. The percentage of those who want the project to stop completely has more than doubled, from 17 percent to 35 percent. The number of those who are undecided on the issue has dropped from 7 percent to 4 percent.

For proponents of stopping it like Allison Kuscan, 21, a dance and education major from Hillsboro, N.J., the economic situation dictates a stoppage for this ambitious project and putting those funds somewhere else.

"They should hold off for a little bit," Kuscan said. "Right now there's just not enough money. They should be using the money for things like scholarships."

Maria Fusco, 19, an elementary education major from Altoona, Pa., is part of the 41 percent who are still in favor of the project moving forward despite growing economic problems.

"I don't think they should hold off just because of the economic situation," Fusco said. "We can't just wait since for all we know things could only get worse."

Some projects, such as 100 more student apartments, have already started while others will get underway later this year. The much larger projects, such as the Playhouse relocation, won't be completed until at least 2014.

New student apartments on the Boulevard of the Allies will be completed by the fall of this year. Construction of one of the residence halls is already complete and carries a $6.5 million price tag. More specific timelines will be developed as the projects continue.