Construction on a new apartment complex with several amenities began around a month ago near the WSU water tower on NE Terre View Drive. 

WSU leased 18.6 acres of property to CP Sagamore University Crossing LLC for the project, said Duane Brelsford, CP Sagamore development team partner and Corporate Pointe Developers president. 

University Crossing will include 528 units of apartments and townhomes as well as mixed-use retail space, he said.

The project includes two phases; phase one takes about a year to complete and focuses on building apartments and retail spaces, Brelsford said. 

The development team is considering using the retail spaces as a grocery store, fast food restaurant, wine tasting room, and hair and nail salon, he said. 

Brelsford said the townhomes and apartments will be built during phase two.

The project’s first phase will not block any sunset views from the water tower, but units built in the second phase will partially block the view because they are being built on the ridge closer to the tower, he said. 

People are allowed to visit the water tower as long as they stay out of the construction area, Brelsford said. 

The designs include several workout rooms spread throughout the property, said Bob Hayes, CP Sagamore development team partner. There will be air conditioning, garages, balconies and study areas available.

“Duane has owned and operated more apartments in [Pullman] than anybody,” he said. “They’re all very consistent. This will be a departure from that for him, we’re doing a more robust package.”

Developers are focusing on creating the community with WSU students in mind given its proximity to campus, Brelsford said. 

“Most other projects now are being built on the Palouse highway out towards Albion, then you’ve got to be reliant on a transportation schedule,” he said, “We’re really excited to provide students with something where they’re not restricted by distance.”

WSU marketing students gave input on what students want to see in the housing and retail sectors, Hayes said. 

“I tend to forget college kids need haircuts, girls need their nails done, things of that nature,” he said, “I think I was expecting the same old coffee shop, bookstore or whatever.”

The project’s most recent challenge is dealing with low WSU enrollment rates caused by the pandemic, Brelsford said. 

The developers hope to see higher enrollment in 2023, which is when developers plan to finish construction on University Crossing, he said. 

“This is our next project, the latest, greatest and closest, and has all the amenities you can think of,” Brelsford said. “It will be the closest large project to the nucleolus of campus that’s been available.”