On Tuesday the University announced its intentions to sell the property that houses Neon Deli and Club Liquors to the city of Middletown by June 2006. According to Middletown Mayor Seb Giuliano, the current building will be razed and become the site for new low-income housing.
“Construction will begin as soon as July for a new housing project called T-Cubed,” Giuliano said. “I think it’s great for students to build community with residents, or townies, as they are affectionately referred to.”
Giuliano pointed to the success of the Lo Rise/Hi Rise and Traverse Square (T-Square) living arrangement on William Street.
“In terms of the local economy, it’s done wonders. Until the recent removal of Lo Rise stairs, townies could visit their University neighbors, borrow a laptop or two, and use the stairs to getaway. I mean, exit…to exit. Is this going to be on the record?” Giuliano said.
T-Cubed will be located on the corner of Vine and Cross streets across from the new Fauver Residences and Freshmen Dormitory.
“All of my life I’ve dreamed of living next door to the projects,” said Ann Thompson ’07. “Now I can pay $40,000 a year to do so!”
“I can’t wait to tutor them,” said Tom James ’08. “I’m going to teach them the three Rs: reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic. Hopefully, they can teach me about R. Kelly.”
T-Cubed will be a modernized version of the Traverse Square Projects, will full amenities and sitting stoops. It will be surrounded by a seven-foot tall electric fence topped with barbed wire.
There will also be a moat dug around the buildings and a drawbridge with a safety railing. On top of that will be a $25 million retractable cage and guard dogs, also for safety purposes.
Snipers will be positioned on top of the Fauver Residences just to secure the area. The University will also be installing nearly one hundred security cameras to effectively monitor the area.
According to Vice President Peter Patton, the University has hired an outside firm to assess how to best integrate students and the Middletown citizens.
“We’re relying on student initiative and networking skills to make this relationship blossom,” Patton said.
“Instead of going to that corner to buy liquor, I will be going there to buy hard drugs,” said Fred Jones ’07. “I mean, that’s what the projects are for, right?”
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