A major housing proposal from West Chester University has stirred up conversation — and concern — among nearby residents and local officials. The university has proposed demolishing the aging College Arms Apartments and replacing them with a 420-bed student residence hall, complete with retail and administrative space along High Street.

The plan, which would require rezoning the property from a Neighborhood Conservation District to a new Planned University District-2, aims to modernize outdated facilities and address growing student housing needs. University representatives argue the project would improve safety, reduce pressure on off-campus rentals, and help meet the demand for more modern on-campus housing.

However, many West Chester residents and borough council members are pushing back, citing concerns over overcrowding, parking limitations, traffic congestion, and the loss of neighborhood character. Critics also worry the development could drive up housing costs and reduce the availability of affordable housing in one of the borough’s most densely populated areas.

The university and community members will continue discussions about the proposal at a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Philips Memorial Building.

Projects like this one highlight the ongoing balancing act between growth, modernization, and community preservation in Chester County — a region where housing affordability and development planning continue to be central topics for both residents and local leaders.

Source: Daily Local