Identity Dinkytown: Was the Delay Worth It?

Graphic by Nati Yeshiwas

During the haze of searching for housing, I found Identity Dinkytown, and like many other students, I decided to sign with the promise that the building would be built and finished in time for the fall semester. However, my hopes were crushed by an email sent out on August 2nd, 2023 claiming there would be an unspecified "delay of move-in" because of “unprecedented” events. 

Since Identity sent the first email, there has been so much confusion and doubt over the move-in and amenities opening dates as the delays continued to extend.

But as of right now, the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors moved on September 29th, the 3rd floor moved in on October 20th, and the 2nd floor moved on November 10th. The amenities have been opening over time, and currently, the only ones left to open are the Spa and Study Courtyard. 

The compensation for the delay has been a $150 gift card for every day the move-in is pushed back (while not paying rent) or an $80 gift card and a hotel room while paying rent. In my case, the $150 gift card sounded like a better deal because I live around 30-40 minutes, depending on the traffic, from campus. 

Commuting from home for a few weeks was a pretty big hassle; it took over an hour of my day. I felt really disappointed that I wasn't able to enjoy the fall season on campus. 

After finally moving in, I noticed the apartment itself was pretty nice. The cabinetry and appliances work well, and the overall vibe of the unit is promising. My roommate and I noticed a few smears on the fridge and some dust that needed to be cleaned, but otherwise, we were very happy with our apartment.  

As for the amenities, I have only been to a few study lounges and the main lobby area, but so far, I have enjoyed spending time in those spaces. 

For me, the delay was not the main issue; it was the initial lack of communication and vagueness over the correct move-in dates. The money is obviously great, but having an apartment before the fall semester started would have been greater.  

After talking with multiple people whom I met in the elevators and common spaces, there was a consensus that Identity Dinkytown started on a rough note but will be well-liked in the upcoming years.