JOHNSON & WALES OPENS CO-OP STUDENT HOUSING

CRANSTON, R.I. — Johnson & Wales University, a career-focused college with four campuses, has opened Centennial House in Cranston. The university, which says this is the first co-op-style student housing, spent $2 million renovating the building that was built in 1899. Students who live here are selected based on their GPAs and social experiences and backgrounds. The 35 residents will determine house rules and participate in daily operations, including cooking, cleaning and general upkeep. The cost per student to live at Centennial House is $6,900 per academic year. A portion of the fee is set aside for students to manage a budget and pay for utilities, food for a weekly required community meal and to reimburse the university for removal of garbage and snow throughout the year. The university purchased the property in October 2012 for $459,000. The renovation team included contractor Stack Design Build and Ed Wojcik Architects.