Newtown Crossing

Lexington, Kentucky

The University of Kentucky has experienced a student housing shortage for several years and although they are in the process of building new dormitory buildings, has encouraged private development to meet these needs. The Edwards Communities acquired two large warehouse properties on South Broadway with the intent of constructing approximately 900 bedrooms in a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartment units. CMW was contracted to both master plan and design the housing site development on the 13 acre site. Although it was an extreme challenge to accommodate the required parking, landscaping and amenities, the real task was designing a means of safe and efficient pedestrian access from the development to UK’s campus. CMW facilitated and secured approval from Norfolk Southern Railroad to design an eight foot wide foot bridge to cross over the railroad track, access an abandoned railroad spur and intersect Scott Street, which is only one block from the main campus. Although the housing development is officially located off campus, it actually is closer to the interior core of the campus grounds than many of the dormitory buildings.