University involvement in downtown revitalization: stakeholder perspectives and opportunities

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of stakeholders on the sides of Rowan University and the Borough of Glassboro regarding the Rowan Boulevard/Downtown Glassboro project in 2011. The study investigated the perspectives of stakeholders on the town and gown relationship, what extending the educational component into the downtown would do to the town and college, and how this would foster the relationship thereafter. These stakeholders, eight on the side of the town and nine on the side of the gown, were interviewed. No strong differences were found between the perspectives of the town and the unversity. The stakeholders believed that bringing the university into the town would allow chances for university outreach into the community and allow the citizens to take full advantage of the various university offerings. It was reported that this integration could lead to more town and gown problems with student behavior. Communication and collaboration was the way to overcome this obstacle and maintain the relationship in the future