Emerson College tried to lease space in hotels and other buildings near its downtown Boston campus in 2014 before talks fell through, prompting it to pursue conversion of a Fenway hostel into a temporary dorm next fall.

Emerson would lease and manage the Boston Fenway Inn from 2017 through 2019 while its Little Building dormitory in the Theater District is being renovated.

The proposal has attracted opposition from some Fenway residents and elected officials who object to an additional infusion of students in the neighborhood. Emerson is proposing to house 115 students in the 56-room, 42,868-square-foot hostel at 12 Hemenway St.

Attempts to lease space closer to campus fell through because an unnamed developer refused to agree to a two-year lease, according to documents filed by Emerson this week with the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Emerson also approached other colleges but none had enough excess capacity, and local hotels could not provide “safe, accessible, segregated space” for 115 students for two years, the college said in the filing.

Emerson would assign a professional staff member to live at the Hemenway Street building along with five resident assistants. Securitas would provide 24-hour front desk coverage.

“The college understands the impact residence hall move-in can have on the surrounding community and takes active measures to ensure minimal disruption and a positive experience for all involved,” Emerson stated in its filing.

Emerson would run a 15-passenger shuttle van from 12 Hemenway to 150 Boylston St. from noon to midnight daily and provide MBTA passes to students, with the property’s three parking spaces reserved for staff.

The filing sets off a 60-day public comment period. The amendment to the college’s institutional master plan requires approval from the BRA board of directors and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh.