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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY DEDICATED TO THE HOUSING NEEDS OF FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
Tallahassee, FL - On Tuesday, September 12th Florida A&M University ("FAMU") breathed a sigh of relief as two of it's own dedicated a new student housing complex designed to relieve the overcrowded housing situation at the University. Conveniently located at the intersection of Paul Russell Road and S. Adams Street, the 96-unit complex offers 384 beds to FAMU underclassmen who, otherwise, may not have had a place to live.
In 1997, two FAMU School of Business and Industry graduates, Charles Frazier and Oscar Joyner, formed Educational Development Company of America, L.L.C. ("EDC") with the sole purpose of providing student-housing solutions to HBCU's around the country. Their first stop was their alma mater. Through a joint venture, EDC began working closely with the university and city officials to design a property that would not only provide FAMU students a place to lay their heads, but also one with the amenities and features that HBCU's are not accustomed to having.
"Apartment complexes that go up on the other side of town near FSU have nice clubhouses with pools, well kept landscapes and tons of amenities! There was nothing like that around FAMU a year ago," says Mr. Frazier, President of EDC. "We know that FAMU students need better housing options. They have the money to pay for it, therefore, they are just as deserving of the same quality facilities that we see surrounding other local institutions - without having to stay across town in order to get it."
Located less than a half mile from the FAMU Student Union Complex, students living in the University Courtyard Apartments will have access to the South Commons Winn-Dixie Shopping Center, as well as First Union Bank and Capital City Bank. The Taltran Bus line conveniently provides access to and from the campus and is located in the FAMU Fare Free Zone. Panic buttons are installed in each bedroom, and each unit is complete with an intrusion alarm system, washer/dryer, dishwasher, microwave, and ceiling fan. In addition to cable, two phone jacks are pre-wired for Internet access in each room.
"The difficulty in growing FAMU is not in building better curriculum or recruiting bright young minds, it is a question of where are we going to put those 'brilliant minds' once they get here?" says FAMU President Frederick Humphries. "The fact that two of our own have taken it upon themselves to tackle such a daunting task makes all of us here all the more proud."
The Educational Development Company currently has plans to provide student housing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities ("HBCU's") across the nation. As co-developer, EDC and their team were the successful respondents to a RFP for student housing issued by Texas Southern University. The first phase of the $11.8 million, 308-bed facility will occupy in August 2001.
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