Fourth-floor hot tubs, grills, a TV lounge area and plans for live music, food trucks and tastings. This is a list of amenities promised by new student-apartment complex Lokal — but move-in has let some student residents down.
Despite its claims of exclusivity and privacy for residents, West Plum Street has become even more student-concentrated since the new complex addition.
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Forrest Botdorf, a senior economics major, has lived in multiple student apartment complexes in the area and said Lokal’s features are similar.
“The rooms are really similar — just the setup,” Botdorf said. “It has the same floors, the same countertops, the same bathrooms. It’s pretty much like The District 2.0. It’s not much different except for there’s no gym or pool or things like that.”
With the high concentration of students on West Plum Street come increased calls for police. There were multiple noise violations in the first month of the past year, according to the Fort Collins crime map. Lokal Leasing Officer Shelly Curtis disputes that the trend will continue with the addition of Lokal.
“It’s hard to say (that Lokal will have similar issues),” Curtis said.”We’ve got more of a boutique style of living. Our residents know us and we know them. It makes it a little bit easier when you’re in a smaller community. We’re really excited to be able to provide them a different style of entertainment for (residents) right outside of their doors.”
Botdorf said since his move-in, there are still things that do not work, such as the Direct TV and WiFi, but said he knows how busy the staff must be.
“They seem pretty responsive,” Botdorf said. “I know they’re trying to get everything set up right now and I know that’s not easy with all these kids calling you every 10 minutes, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Paola Grijalva, a junior apparel merchandising and Spanish major, moved to Lokal with her dog, Zeus. She said the 79-unit apartment chose its residents more carefully than other places do.
“It seems more of a selective kind of community,” Grijalva said. “It’s not just like they’re going to pick anyone, and they actually got to meet you. In the application, they would call you and ask you questions, and the roommate assignment is way different. It’s a survey and it’s kind of detailed.”
On Lokal’s “Altitude Deck” and its Plaza, there are plans for food tastings, food trucks and live music.
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“That is still the works,” Curtis said. “We’re still trying to settle in (and) get everyone settled in. Then we’ll start planning all of the fun events coming.”
Both Grijalva and her roommate, Aksel Campbell, an undeclared freshman, said what makes Lokal unique is its newness.
“It’s more of a modern feel,” Campbell said. “Everything’s newer-looking and more efficient. It takes an access code to go in and out, so I feel safe as well.”
Collegian News Reporter Sierra Cymes can be reached at news@collegian.com and on Twitter @sierra_cymes.