At Hofstra University’s annual State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sept. 17, President Susan Poser announced an unfinalized plan to build what she referred to as a “college town” on Hofstra’s campus. The town, which Poser described as a “mixed use, walkable area with the amenities of a small village” will be built in the space currently occupied by James M. Shuart Stadium. 

The plan is still early in its development, so it is not confirmed if it will happen, and many details, such as the amenities and the timeline of the plan, are not yet finalized. Poser said that some of the amenities currently being considered are restaurants, shops, more housing and a space for live music.

Poser said that the intention is for this area to be not just accessible to Hofstra students but the surrounding community.

“It would not be like a gated village or anything. It would be there right on the Hempstead Turnpike,” Poser said. “It would be good for Long Island, not just good for Hofstra.”

The main unknown aspect of this plan is the cost.

“There’s so many other things you could put money into,” said Sandra Dionicio, a senior engineering major. “It’s kind of beneficial, but we already have a lot of other things going on.”

If this plan were to happen, Shuart Stadium would have to be removed. Currently, the only teams that play home games in Shuart Stadium are the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. The plan mentioned in the State of the University Address was for a new lacrosse stadium to be built on the North Side of campus, closer to the university’s other athletic fields and facilities.

Hofstra’s men’s lacrosse coach Seth Tierney said that he trusts whatever decisions Poser and Athletic Director Rick Cole Jr. make.

“If this move is ultimately better for the university, then we’re all for it,” Tierney said.

Poser clarified that no matter what, there will be a place for Hofstra’s lacrosse teams to play. 

“We will always have a home for Hofstra lacrosse, and this building is not going to change that,” Poser said.

Poser added that this plan fulfills a long-lasting want of the Hofstra community, saying it has been “a topic for decades.”

Freshman television and film major Giuliana Scire said this could be a positive thing for Hofstra students. 

“Considering the fact that a lot of people don’t want to be a resident their junior and senior year, I feel like a college town could be very beneficial,” Scire said.

Scire added that she hopes the plan will happen during her time here at Hofstra and expressed certain hopes for what it will include. 

“I feel like we’re in a very industrial area,” said Scire. “I would like to see more smaller businesses and apartment style housing.”

Earlier this month, the Urban Land Institute’s advisory panel spent five days on campus, examined the feasibility of this plan and offered short and long term suggestions to the university. In addition to making suggestions about the planning process, Poser said the panel also made recommendations about making the South Side of campus greener, more walkable and shifting more of the parking to the North Side of campus.