What was the thinking behind the layout of the project?

MSU’s vision for the site is for it to be an engaging, walkable, urban space that places students close to the academic core of the University. The project was designed with its impact on the Red Cedar neighborhood in mind. To that end, the family housing was placed near the residential neighborhood in order to allow families to be next to families. The apartment buildings for individual students will be to the east of the existing University Village buildings near the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and Harrison Road. The parking deck, surface parking lots, office building and retail space will be located near the Harrison Road corridor. The land to the west of University Village is within the 100-year flood plain and has been designated as recreational space.