Legal problems, as well as economic problems, halted the construction of 300 town houses on Centennial Campus.  Only 33 were completed.

Many residents of those 33 completed town homes have had complaints.  Zachary Anderson, a senior in criminology, has been living in a North Shore Townhome for four years now, but said he has not had any problems.

“I haven’t particularly had any problems in mine, but in talking with neighbors I have heard of some people having issues with leaks and just general upkeep,” Anderson said.  “I am satisfied, but I understand why some people are not.  I’ve just been fortunate enough to not have those same issues.”

The only issues Anderson had with North Shore in his personal experience regarded roads and parking.

“The roads are fine.  [But] they didn’t finish fully paving over one of the parking lots, and there have been some issues with pothole repair,” Anderson said.  “The only issue I’ve had [is] my friends getting towed and not having passes.  There’s not enough guest parking, that’s one thing I’m not pleased with.”

Aside from parking and towing issues, Anderson was complimentary about the complex, and said he thinks promotion shouldn’t be out of the question.

“I don’t think [marketing] is a bad idea…it’s a great distance from campus for students, and it’s an overall nice area.  I’ve been happy,” Anderson said.

In regards to North Shore’s unfinished state, Anderson did not feel negatively affected, but talked of fellow residents who were.

“I’m not particularly displeased with them not finishing the other condos,” Anderson said. “But I know some other people around here that plan on staying are upset because they would like to see it develop into an actual community instead of just a couple of town homes. It’s an issue a lot of people have around here… [they are] are unhappy [with how] the original developer handled everything.”

Mike Harwood, associate vice chancellor for Centennial Campus development, commented on why North Shore has experienced such a halt in construction and development.

“The project originally stalled due to economic conditions.  We’ve been struggling with that for about three years,” he said.  “There are plans to rejuvenate the project, likely with another developer.  As far as the future, it’s a little bit uncertain; we have to make sure the economic conditions have returned.”

Along with economic despair, the North Shore Town Home project is also experiencing legal troubles.

Harwood said, “There is an ongoing legal action, so I’m very limited in what I’m able to comment on. This legal action has to be resolved before we can move forward. We also have to make sure the economic situation has improved to the point that folks are willing to take on the risk [of further development].”

Harwood also said that such a hold-up in development affects the N.C. State campus and community.

“Anything that is incomplete is not something that is desired. [This development stall] is not fulfilling our ultimate vision and master plan for the campus,” Harwood said.  “We want to see this legal situation resolved and we want to see this project rejuvenated and ultimately completed.”

When the legal issues surrounding the North Shore Town Home project are resolved, Harwood said Craig Davis, the original developer of the North Shore project, will not be continuing as the developer.

“We’re going in a different direction,” Harwood said.  “There is no way of telling when the legal issues will be resolved. The legal system has to run its course. It’s almost always longer than you like.  We would like to think maybe by the first quarter of 2011 we would have a new development partner in place and ready to move forward.”

In the meantime, meetings with current residents of North Shore are held to ensure that residential issues are known within Centennial Campus Development.

Harwood said, “We’ve met with them a number of times to hear their concerns.  I think we’re trying to address those issues to the extent that we can.  There are a number of things that we have done, working with the homeowners to help them feel that they are part of the community.  We’re going to take over some of the landscaping maintenance they had been undertaking to try and keep their community presentable…We’ve also installed a couple of stop signs to try to slow traffic down so that young children living [there] are not put at risk.”

As far as other Centennial housing projects, Harwood said there are two in the works.

He said, “Student housing is in the midst of designing one, which is for about 1180 beds in an apartment style building much like Wolf Village…It will also include about 14,000 sq ft of food service…that will be available to all students and faculty on Centennial Campus.  The second housing project is…apartments geared towards…partners…faculty… [and] staff.  There will be about 290 apartment units…and will primarily [consist of] one and two bedrooms.”

Concerning original North Shore developer Craig Davis, Harwood commented on one campus project involving Davis.

“We’re currently working on a project called ‘Alliance One’ which is an office building project that had also been stalled by the economy,” Harwood said.  “We now are in the midst of design and expect to break ground on that project sometime in the very early part of January 2011.”