West Chester University’s Modular Dorms Take Shape on Matlack St.

If you have driven down S. Matlack St. recently you have probably seen the modular trailers collecting in the West Chester University M Lot. This is the start of Matlock Court, WCU’s new pre-fab housing community.

Cara Corridoni

January 30, 2025

2–3 minutes

Education, environment, government, housing, parking

By fall WCU plans to transform these basic modular units into a temporary housing community.

If you have driven down S. Matlack St. recently you have probably seen the collection of modular trailers where the West Chester University M Lot once stood. This is the start of Matlock Court, WCU’s new pre-fab housing community.

By August 2025, the temporary modular community will house up to 128 students. The goal is to give the university room to execute its master housing plan (yet to be seen).

“This temporary housing will provide the swing space needed to begin deferred maintenance projects on other on-campus housing units while we pursue authorization to renovate existing buildings or add something new for a greater number of beds,” said Dr. Laurie Bernotsky in a discussion of university housing plans last fall.

In total, there will be 100 single-occupancy rooms, 14 double-occupancy rooms, and a common area building with laundry facilities, vending machines, and student mailboxes. Each room will include a bed, desk, wardrobe or closet, and a chair per occupant. While rooms in the tightly grouped trailers seem basic and, well, modular, a virtual tour does show a sizable outdoor deck area with picnic tables, potted plants, and room for bicycle parking. Matlack Court will be open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors looking for on-campus housing.

Students in, Parking out

The new units do come at the cost of some parking spots, but WCU doesn’t want you to worry. Matlack Parking Garage, which has approximately 400 parking spaces, will be available to commuting students and employees with valid parking permits and it has room. An independent parking study showed 20 percent of garage spaces are available even on the busiest of days. You just have to go up high enough.

The University has also opened a new lot with 36 available parking spaces at 204 Carter Dr. or directly across from the new Matlack Court. Once the community opens in the fall there will also be a late-night shuttle servicing the area.

Originally published on Jan. 24, 2025

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