SLU buys two houses near its campus

CANTON — St. Lawrence University has purchased two houses near its campus that it may use for student or staff housing.

The university completed the purchase Monday of 5 Lincoln St. and 7 Lincoln St. for $98,000 from Elia Filippi and Denise A. Dingman, Richville.

"They were about to go on the market and we were approached," university spokeswoman Macreena A. Doyle said. "Right now, we're not 100 percent sure what we're going to be doing with them. We're still evaluating them."

The two houses are adjacent to other university property and close to Park Street.

The university may use the houses for student housing, depending on how many students it expects. First-year students in specific programs live together, making housing arrangements sometimes difficult.

"Enrollment is flexible until we get further into the summer," Ms. Doyle said.

If the homes become student housing, they would end up off the tax rolls. The university has a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program for the houses it uses for faculty and staff.

If the university determines it doesn't need the Lincoln Street houses, they may be sold, Ms. Doyle said.