Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the Troy State can buy new buildings to "expand its borders"...then why can they not build much needed dorms for the students? This would solve the problem with the R1 "rezoning" controversy.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

they will never be able to provide enough housing to accomodate all students who want to live on campus. but I guess they could evict the two churches housed in parklane. and how dare they buy and make use of a building that has been just sitting empty on 231? the nerve! no matter what they do the troy haters will find fault with it.

Posted by leroy (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

there they grow again,

Posted by Observer22 (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Troy State can afford to buy up every property that becomes available it obviously has enough money that the city does not need to continue to subsidize the college. Let Troy State start paying the full price for all of their utilities and quit paying a million-dollars a year to subsidize the athletic department.

Posted by Observer22 (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To turtle - some of us love TROY but have little affection for Troy STATE university.

Posted by leroy (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As an Alumni of Troy State and a long time resident of Troy, I think that a real nice Alumni Hall should be the next big project. I am ready to host the University of Alabama for the National Champion Ship.

Posted by wrden (anonymous) on October 12, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a parent of a student attending Troy University I would think the city of Troy would be glad the University continues to expand. I visit Troy often and hate to break it to you folks who have a dislike for the University but without it Troy would be in serious trouble. I live near the University of Montevallo and have never seen that University receive bad comments from the townspeople because they are proud to support the University which provides jobs and brings buisness to area. I am appalled at how little support I see in the city for the University and all it does for Troy and can't understand why this community can't see what benefits the school brings.

Posted by BeachGirl (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 4:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to Troy State and a serious problem there is parking. How about they do something about that? I supported TSU when i went there but they seem to care/give more money to their football/athletic programs than simple needs like parking. Ask any student on a given hot or rainy day what they want and most will say better parking.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The parking issue could be alleviated if people did not feel they had to always be parked right in front of the building their classes are in. For example the parking lot by the football field is never full but people will complain because they cannot get a parking spot right at the door of Smith or GAB. Another solution would be to stop with the named parking spots for faculty. You have parking spots that are empty most of the day and only used maybe three hours out of the day because a faculty member pays to reserve their spot. I have even heard faculty say this is a waste of parking spaces. Alumni Hall is on the priority list and is one of the next dorms to be renovated over the next year. But, again, you have students who live there who will tell you no matter how nice it is fixed up by the University there are going to be residents who don't know how to take care of their space and destroy property. A good way to stay up on agenda items, etc would be to check out a Trop every Thursday. It is the school paper and every week there are articles where Herb Reeves mentions these very things and the time line for replacing/updating them.

I agree also that given the jobs the University provides for the people of Pike County, the revenue provided when events are hosted (and the University is always hosting events that bring in money via lodging, gas, and food) you would think more people would support them. GO TROJANS!

Posted by mh2008 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just want to say that not all Troy University students care about parking right at the entrance to the academic buildings. Some of us just want a parking spot, period. I arrive on campus one full hour before class and it takes me 50 minutes to find a spot and that is from pure luck that someone is leaving when I drive by. We pay $35.00 for a parking permit, but it is very difficult to justify paying that when you can't even get a parking spot. You drive by on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday during class time and you will not find a parking spot anywhere, and that is including the one across from the football stadium. Every single legal parking spot is taken and people have to make their own parking spot somewhere on the side of the road, then getting fined for doing so. Before you start talking about students and their issues with wanting a parking spot in front of buildings, you go look for your own spot and see if you find one. I agree that the university could do more with their money than to purchase those building, such as find some land to use for parking lots, but those people in IT deserve someplace to work that isn't leaking or growing mold in the ceiling.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a student as well mh2008 and I too get on campus early but not just for parking reasons. I don't live in Troy anymore and have a child to take to school so it doesn't make sense for me to drive back and forth, back and forth. I use my time to go to the library, meet with professors, etc. I very seldom have to drive around hunting a space because like I said I've always seen them available next to Tailgate Terrace and also by the soccer fields. Everyone talks about a parking deck but until the athletics program grows to the point of Auburn/Alabama size, we won't get one. It doesn't make sense to spend millions on a parking deck when it won't be full all the time except for football games. I agree as well about Bibb Graves. That building has to be a priority. I'm surprised more people aren't sick from the mold in that building, it is awful! TROY could also consider doing what Bama does and that is not allow freshman who live on campus to have vehicles on campus. Look in commuter parking lots on any given day and a large portion of the cars have resident stickers on them. Too many people don't want to walk is the problem. Take advantage of the shuttle system. If it stopped by my house I would but it doesn't go outside the city limits.

Doesn't matter really. TROY is growing and in the next few years will be buying more property around the University so people will have lots to complain about over the next few years anyway. Have a good day all.

Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So interesting to read the various comments. The one comment that should be made is: Great to see the progress of the University. Troy University's progress is definately the benefit to all Troy residents.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Observer22 if it wasn't for Troy Univ.Troy wouldn't be the city it is today.

Posted by Observer22 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM...if it weren't for Troy, Troy State would not be either.
If it were not for Wiley Sanders, Troy would not be what it is.
If it were not for Charles Henderson, Troy would not be what it is and Troy State would not be.
If it were not for two railroads Troy would not be the city it is.
Everything and everybody that has existed has had some bearing on making Troy the city it is or keeping it from becoming the city it is not. Troy State is just one variable.
No doubt, Troy and Troy State have a relationship - part symbiotic and part parasitic. The symbiotic part is to be accepted and encouraged, the parasitic part - where Troy State sucks up tax money and every loose dime through extortion - thinly veiled threats to move to Dothan if the City does not cough up the cash - should neither be encouraged nor accepted.

Posted by 1989trojan (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great comments. But does the purchase of a strip mall enhance the image of the university? From the article, it sounds like the shopping center will be used - not torn down. Will mingling of university classrooms and offices work well with retail stores? At least the bank building looks great - but didn't the university own an old bank building near there before?

Posted by TFan (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Given the depressed economic environment, it probably makes good sense to purchase existing, empty structures rather than go to the time and expense of locating empty or abandoned property and building new at today's costs. The bank building has a very sharp presence and is well-located.

If you ever banked at Wachovia, you'll appreciate the change!

Posted by leroy (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In regards to the parking problem at Troy University.

Highland Avenue is a very wide street and people can park on both sides of it. Highland Avenue is almost as close to the center of the University as any of the parking lots over there. When the Alumni Building at the end of highland is built, I think that Highland Avenue will be come more recognizable as additional parking for University students. The Married Students who live in the Married student apartments at the end of Franklin, find Highland Avenue to be only a short walk for their daily journey to classes. There is a steady stream of Married Students walking back and forth, every day.

Highland Avenue is getting to be a major thoroughfare; however. It does not matter how late at night or early in the morning, Highland Avenue is becoming one of the most traveled roads in Troy. Cars zip by without regard to seed limits. One wonders just where these people are in such a big hurry to get where they are going. It is a short cut as evidenced by the number of emergency vehicles that often goes by. I suspect that they are trying to avoid the traffic lights on George Wallace. Also, the Hospital is just a skip and a jump down Franklin. Then there is the all important daily trip to Wal Mart that must be made by Western side of town Trojans.

But, a side walk would be a nice addition for the pedestrians dodging the speedy Gonzales types.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The alumni building is already built at the end of Highland. It's a single-family dwelling they're using as an Alumni Welcome Center. Now that the bank building has been purchased at George Wallace, they'll probably start using the Highland Ave. house less and less.

I agree that Highland Ave. is getting to be a high-speed thru-way; why not make it a one-way that empties out onto G. Wallace? That will restore some peace to that R-1 subdivision. Why are there cars parking on the streets on Highland? Because there are 4 or more unrelated people living in some of those houses, in clear violation of the zoning laws. If you built sidewalks on Highland, those lawbreakers would just park all over it.

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Troy State is certainly an asset to Troy. The main focus should be with the students and with the residents of Troy. Problems with parking and housing etc must be addressed with both in mind and dealt with impartially and what is best for both.

Posted by regis (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not about the students or the residents. They are at the bottom of the list of what is important to Troy State and city developers. The MONEY the students and residents spend is the only thing that is important to Troy State and the developers. It's all about size (and wealth) envy. As if bigger (and more money) is supposed to naturally be better.

Posted by leroy (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought that the Bank building was going to be a welcome center, not an Alumni center. I wonder where the new Baketball building is going to Go?

Posted by leroy (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes there are still about three single families on the 100 block of Highland. The land owners will probably have to stop renting to college students. I wonder how much the department of housing and development is paying to subsidize rental houses now days?
Why rent to college students when you can rent to single family government housed people. Now college students X,Y,Z,and K are paying them $100 each per month. After the zoning inspector shows up and the students are evicted, the property owners will probably turn to HUD to pay $300 and the single family $100.

No more Hoot Nannies will be played on that block.

Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

purchasing the property is the first step of a plan if you ask me. I imagine there are long term goals and ideas of the university for that property. Watch and see what happens in 5-8 years !

Posted by henrimasters (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Much has been said about the citizen's lack of support for the University. For those that remember, it was not that way for the first 100 or so years of its existence. The local support started to erode in 1989 when the Hawkins arrived. There is a huge lack of trust among Troy citizens for the king and queen of TU. This is largely due to their not really supporting the city themselves. They do everything in Montgomery or some place else. Durijg their tenure at Troy growth has occurrred for sure but I think that would have happened with any leader. One thing is for sure, the king an queen will depart Troy with much more gold than they arrived with. Shame on the local leaders for allowing that to happen and shame on the Troy BOT for not making sure it did not happen.