By Kara Augustine

The Central Station shopping center is a familiar site to any University of Louisville student taking the Black Loop down Central Avenue on weekday mornings. The complex contains a Kroger, Starbucks, Beef O’ Brady’s and many other businesses. However, 14,000 square feet of space remains un-rented.
Faulkner Real Estate, the company responsible for Central Station, is working to fill these vacancies and is soliciting input from students on how to do it. During the Oct. 7 SGA Senate meeting, a representative from Faulkner discussed how to best fill these empty spots in the complex.
“We still have a couple more slots we can fill, and we came to present to the Senate to understand how the university uses the center,” said Jeff Ellison, Faulkner’s leasing director. “What we can do to work with the university is to attract the types of uses that students want.”
At the Senate meeting, the student body representatives made suggestions that included a Blockbuster, more restaurants, bicycle repair shop and household supply stores.
Students also suggested places that have extended hours, such as a Dunkin’ Donuts or a 24-hour restaurant.
Other students have had similar suggestions.
Freshman biology major Sherrice Shelton said, “I think they should build a TJ Max or Marshalls so that it would be more convenient for students.”
The idea of apparel stores was not the only idea brought up during the senate meeting.
Tommy Vollmar, junior exercise science major, suggested a barber shop, dry cleaner and sporting goods store.
“I think it was a good idea to come and talk to the senate and get more student input,” SGA Services Vice President Dani Smith said. “It really shows that the surrounding businesses want to get involved in the university’s community.”
One main goal for Central Station development is to have the university and students’ support. They hope that the new developments will help motivate more students to attend U of L.
“We’d love the support of the university to bring those types of services that students can appreciate, and we are listening,” Ellison said. “We are asking for help and we are listening to what it is the students think they will support and they will need.”
Smith believes these additions could encourage students to stay on campus during the weekend rather than going home or to another part of town.
“I think providing services and businesses that are in walking distance is crucial to the campus community and vibrancy,” Smith said.
Vollmar echoed this sentiment, saying he feels the center could provide vital services to students. 
“There are services that most people need on a monthly or weekly basis and it is close to campus and really convenient,” he said. “It could be something that you could do between classes.”
Lisa Mills, Marketing Director of Faulkner Real Estate said that these new developments could help round out the area around the university and add to it significantly.
“I think it makes it easier for either the family or the student who is not sure what university is the best fit for them,” Mills said. “They see more of the holistic offering. It completes the university neighborhood.”
Ellison was quick to point out the way that Central Station has grown over the years, saying, “Seven years ago, this was a million square feet of hazardous dilapidated warehouse space.” Now, he said, it is a thriving economic center with powerful potential.
“The university and the area around the university have been in transition for quite some time,” Ellison said. “It’s already positively impacted the community, but I hope that it helps the university attract more students.”