Xavier razing houses next week for Hoff Academic Quad

Today’s Enquirer is reporting that 21 houses Xavier University owns on Ledgewood Drive will be demolished next week to make way for the $108 million Hoff Academic Quad project. The project will consist of a new business school building and library straddling a new grand entrance at Ledgewood and Dana Avenue, as well as a new utility plant across the street.

The Enquirer goes on to say that construction on the $150 million, 20-acre Xavier Square project should start next year. The university is close to a formal development agreement with Corporex for that project, which will include apartments for at lest 550 students, a new health center, recreation center, stores, offices, and a hotel. Xavier official John Kucia said Xavier's main contribution will be the property, but it's still negotiating whether it will make a cash investment. Monday, Corporex started accepting proposals for retailers and other tenants on the property.

Earlier this summer, Xavier added more property with its $1.75 million purchase of the Norwood Plaza. It will use that for parking and decide later on future developments there, Kucia said.