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Saginaw Valley State University

October 27, 2026

SVSU Board approves property acquisition of neighboring apartment complex

The SVSU gateway with blue sky, green grass.

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control authorized the University to spend up to $32 million to acquire an apartment complex and other parcels of property adjacent to campus during the Board’s regular meeting Monday, Oct. 26.

The apartment complex SVSU is purchasing, to be known as Cardinal Corners as it is integrated into SVSU’s campus, currently has space for 357 residents in single-bedroom townhouse-style units. It is located at the southwest corner of Pierce and Davis roads.

“Safety is an increasingly important consideration for our students and has contributed to a significant rise in student interest to live on campus,” said George Grant Jr, SVSU president.

“These apartment units will increase our capacity to welcome students who want to live on campus. This acquisition brings Cardinal Corners under the jurisdiction of University Police and will create opportunity for us to provide other enhanced safety measures for students, consistent with what current residential students experience.”

SVSU’s residential facilities are No. 2 among all public universities in the U.S. according to the annual “Best Dorms” rankings by Niche.

The eastern portion of the apartment complex along Pierce Road, commonly known as Campus Village Apartments, is being acquired by SVSU. The western half of the complex is not included in the purchase and will remain privately owned. A map and other information are available on the SVSU website.

The real estate transaction is scheduled to close on Friday, Oct. 30.

Once the sale is complete, Cardinal Corners will fall under the jurisdiction of University Police. 
SVSU also is constructing additional student housing for 120 residents in its Pine Grove apartments. Those units will be completed by August 2027. In recent years, SVSU has seen student demand to live on campus exceed what the university has been able to accommodate.

When the new construction and the Cardinal Corners purchase is complete, SVSU will be able to welcome around 3,000 students living on campus, beginning with the 2027 fall semester. 
The Board also authorized SVSU to proceed with issuing up to $32.3 million in bonds to finance the property acquisitions.

SVSU is proceeding with the purchase of an additional parcel of property (7780 Bay Road) that is currently surrounded by the campus. The Board authorized spending up to $300,000 to buy the property from the Gail A. Beattie Trust. Once finalized, all property on the east side of Bay Road, M-84, between Pierce and Freeland roads will be part of SVSU.

  • In other action, the Board:
    Received and accepted the annual financial audit for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
  • Approved the university’s five-year capital outlay plan.
  • Granted emeritus status to three retired professors: Louis Cohen, psychology; Garry Johns, mathematics; and Gail Kantak, biology.
  • Granted an honorary degree to Gleaves Whitney, the executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation in Grand Rapids. Whitney will serve as the commencement speaker at the ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 19.