Housing permit granted

Permission received to begin conversion of Annex to new housing options

Liberty University may begin converting Annex II, located on Odd Fellow Road, into housing specifically dedicated to married and graduate students now that the Lynchburg Planning Commission unanimously granted Liberty a conditional use permit, per public record.

With the recent grant of the permit, Maggie Cossman, a corporate engineer at Liberty University’s Planning and Construction Department, said renovations can commence. However, there is another step that Liberty must take in order to house students in what will be referred to as Liberty NorthPoint.

“(The next step is to) complete renovations and obtain an occupancy permit which will allow the dorm to be opened to students,” Cossman said.

Construction is expected to begin soon as the residential hall’s expected opening date is Jan. 1, 2016, according to Cossman.

According to The News & Advance, the renovated property will be available through Lynchburg Renting LLC. Students will pay a monthly rate ranging from $500 to $750, depending on the apartment size.

Cossman added that most of the suites plan to specifically accommodate married couples.

“Rooms are planned to be converted into suites, each with their own private kitchen,” Cossman said. “This will eliminate the need for students to cross Odd Fellows Road
for food service.”

Initially, students living in Annex II were required to cross the street to get to the dining hall. For safety reasons, Cossman wanted to eliminate that need. She also said that steps have been removed from the parking lot to Odd Fellows Road to discourage crossing it.

Annex I, also located on Odd Fellows Road, is also slated to close; however, Cossman said that she is currently unaware of any potential renovation plans for it.

For more information on Liberty NorthPoint apartments, email housing@liberty.edu or visit lynchburgrenting.com/NorthPoint.aspx.

HAYWOOD is the editor-in-chief.