The University of California, Davis, today (July 19) celebrated milestones in two major student housing projects: The Green at West Village is completed and work on the Orchard Park apartment project is officially underway following a ceremonial groundbreaking.

“These important milestones on Orchard Park and The Green at West Village are helping to fill a critical need for on-campus housing,” UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May said at The Green, site of the celebration for both milestones. The audience saw a video of the ceremonial groundbreaking at Orchard Park, which took place Sunday (July 18).

“This is a big win for students, the university and our surrounding communities,” the chancellor said. “It’s all thanks to close collaboration with the city of Davis, Yolo County and our development partners.”

A great day for student housing at UC Davis! — Chancellor Gary S. May on Facebook

 

The Green at West Village provides about 3,300 beds primarily for transfer and continuing undergraduate students. The first phase of the project, with 1,000 beds, opened last fall. The complex includes nine four-story apartment buildings, indoor and outdoor community spaces, recreation fields, and a community building with a fitness center, multipurpose room and student support services.

“I love living at The Green,” said Ryan Manriquez, president of the Associated Students of UC Davis, who has lived in the apartment complex since transferring to UC Davis in 2020. As someone who uses a powered wheelchair, he noted: “It’s the most ADA-friendly housing complex in Davis — every door is automatic with your keycard.”

The focus on transfer students also helps build community, he said.

At the time of groundbreaking in 2019, The Green was the largest student housing construction project in the country.

Building community

 

The Orchard Park apartment complex will comprise almost 1,600 beds in just over 600 apartment units for single graduate students, and students with families. Apartments will be rented at below-market rates for comparable properties. The complex will include two community buildings, one for families and one for graduate students. Orchard Park will be open for tenants in the fall of 2023.

“It will make a substantial difference for graduate students,” said Jonathan Minnick, president of the UC Davis Graduate Student Association. “A significant percentage of each cohort of graduate students will have the opportunity to live on campus.”

Minnick praised the accommodations for student parents in the complex. “The fact that students with families can be in this community and be supported is just a great opportunity,” he said.

 

The new Orchard Park complex replaces a former apartment complex that was closed in 2015 after 51 years of service. Over the intervening time, numerous graduate students have worked on committees conceiving and advising on the new Orchard Park.

“I can’t thank them enough for their hard work,” Minnick said. 

Public-private partnerships

Because of the scale of the projects, both are being carried out as public-private partnerships funded through tax-exempt bond sales. The Michaels Organization is the developer for both projects. The Green at West Village is owned by a national nonprofit organization, Collegiate Housing Foundation, with a ground lease from UC Davis. The facility is managed by Michaels Student Living Management, with UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services providing marketing, leasing and on-site student support services. Orchard Park will be managed in the same way once complete.