How the Hawks live

By Kyle Rabin

Photo provided by Hawks Landing: Hawks Landing, HCC’s first student housing community, located on Lois Ave. across the street from the Dale Mabry Campus.

For the first time in the history of Tampa, community college students are finding themselves a little more at ease when it comes to finding somewhere to live while attending school. This, in part, is thanks to Hawks Landing, the first on-campus housing complex for Hillsborough Community College students. Hawks Landing is located at 4010 N. Lois Ave., across the street from the Dale Mabry campus.

Many amenities and community features set Hawks Landing apart from ordinary apartment complexes. Such features include an all-inclusive individual lease on furnished one, two, and four-bedroom apartments, and private bedrooms with wall-to-wall carpeting. In addition, each apartment is wired for high-speed internet and cable.
Property manager, Jamila Nicholson, who is employed by Place Properties, has worked at Hawks Landing since December 2007. Even though Nicholson is not a resident, she is well versed in just what sets Hawks Landing apart from other apartment complexes. Hawks Landing opened its doors to residents in January 2008. Anyone who is not a student of HCC is not permitted to live in Hawks Landing. “We have a resort size pool, computer lab, workout room, and a lounge with three gaming stations including Playstation, X-box, and Wii,” said Nicholson. She also says that Hawks Landing has events tailored to their student residents such as an appreciation week. “Kicking off Monday with an ice cream social followed by other events such as a pancake breakfast, a safe sex awareness seminar, residents will even get a chance to pamper themselves with makeovers sponsored by Mary Kay,” said Nicholson.
Caroline Grace, 19, an elementary education major currently lives at Hawks Landing. Grace says she likes how inexpensive the apartments are and how close they are to campus, living with her best friend is also a plus. “What led me to lease at Hawks Landing were the advertisements I found on the Dale Mabry campus,” said Grace. Another reason why she decided to move there was that she desperately wanted to get out of her parents’ house.
Of course, there are some things that Grace would like to see change about Hawks Landing, such as how the people that live there handle themselves. “I wish people were more serious about school and did not party so much, but I know it isn’t something that will change because it’s mostly young kids away from home for the first time, that have never experienced life on their own before,” said Grace.
Hawks Landing makes finding money for rent almost hassle-free since financial aid is being accepted. Rental prices range from $539, for a four bedroom unit, to two bedroom units starting at $539. The single one-bedroom units go for $805. There are also some creative ways to save money on rent, like referring to a friend. Just tell them, “It’s how the Hawks live.”