A new company, Tailwind Management Group from Minnesota, has taken ownership and operations of the University of Wyoming’s Campus Habitat apartments, now named “The Quarters” at 2024 E. Binford St. The apartment complex features four-bedroom, two-bathroom, apartments throughout 10 buildings at the site. Residents received notification 50 days ago about the renovations and given different options about how they would like to go forward in vacating two of the complex’s buildings.
“The most efficient way to go about this was working two buildings at a time and getting them fully empty,” Project Manager, Brandon Smith, said. “We offered to break leases residents had signed with Campus Habitat, fully refunding their security deposits plus offering a set amount of money so residents could apply that to a new apartment if they saw fit.”
The final projects can span the entire last month of the semester. Laramie’s weather also undergoes a fearsome shift during the short days of winter, something The Quarters’ manager, Smith, acknowledged.
“If I were being compensated like [The Quarters] are doing, I’d probably be okay with it,” student, Connor Wetzel, said. “The timing is poor but it is what it is, I’m just glad [The Quarters] is being as sympathetic with their residents as they can be.”
Trailwind Management has previous experience working with college populations as they also own and operate a nearly identical apartment complex at the University of Northern Iowa. Some of the improvements planned for Laramie’s apartments include new flooring, cabinets, appliances, countertops and fixtures said Smith.
“We’re trying to give these residents a unique experience by bringing in a few new amenities to the clubhouse as well so they really feel like it’s a home,” Smith said. “We’re getting a new tanning bed, air hockey, shuffleboard, some retro arcade games and expanding the fitness and bathroom facilities.”
Memos sent out to residents explained the planned improvements as well as outlined compensation and some procedures for how to begin the process. The properties manager, Smith, said that some residents who had expressed concern about the move but that his company and the management on site had been very sympathetic and done everything they could, including hiring and paying a local moving company to help residents. As of Wednesday, Nov. 16, the first two buildings to undergo renovations were 100 percent vacant and residents were returning to normal apartment living, said Smith.
“Moving is extremely stressful and I can’t even imagine it on top of finals,” student, Jordan Fitzgerald, said. “Just moving into the dorms was stressful and nuts so I can see how the [monetary] incentive would help but I’m not sure it would totally reduce my stress.”
The Quarters is hoping to start interior renovations right after Thanksgiving and hope to be in full swing by June 1. Exterior renovations will begin later after the interior renovations and will take place in weather that is more seasonable.
