Will the New Town Center Apartments Make University Place More Walkable?

As University Place Town Center’s new apartment building starts to take shape behind the scaffolding, it’s interesting to imagine how the personality of Bridgeport Way will change once residents start moving in.

They’ll be mere feet from the University Place Library, city government offices and the Frog n Kiwi Café. Trader Joe’s is only a few blocks away. And then there’s the brand new retail space available on the apartment building ground floor.

Representatives from SEB Incorporated, developer for the Clearview 100 Apartment Homes, told Patch that no retailors have signed up to fill the 12,000 square feet of new business space, but that they are hoping to attract businesses that “will be useful to the tenants of the building and surrounding community.”

The 100 apartment units are scheduled to be move-in ready this July. Residents will have access to a fitness center, party room with big-screen TVs, an outdoor spa and tanning room as part of their rent. The building will also feature an outdoor BBQ party area with tables and chairs.

Studio apartment rents start at $795 and creep up to over $1625 for a two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment.

In an interview with the city's TV network show "Business in UP" that aired last October, Steve Berg from SEB said he expected the project would appeal to a mix of residents 55 years and older, as well as students. However, SEB representatives told Patch that there is no targeted demographic for this apartment building. 

Do you think the Clearview 100 will help make the Bridgeport community more walkable, or just add to the congestion? Tell us in the comments.