DASNY Issues $150 million in Low-Cost Bonds Supporting SUNY Residence Hall Projects
Long Island Region expected to receive over $24 million to support SUNY Stony Brook University
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 16, 2017) -- Gerrard P. Bushell, DASNY President & CEO, announced today that the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and the State University of New York issued approximately $150 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds through DASNY’s SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program for residence hall capital projects across New York State.
The DASNY-SUNY financing partnership is expected to deliver more than $24 million to the Long Island Region to support Stony Brook University, which has developed projects designed to meet increasing demand for on-campus housing. The recently completed Toll Drive housing project provides 759 additional beds and a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art dining facility for SBU students, staff, and faculty. The projects are on track to receive LEED-Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines.
DASNY President & CEO Gerrard P. Bushell said, “DASNY is proud to partner with SUNY to deliver low-cost financing to develop and upgrade residence halls on Long Island. Best-in-class living and learning infrastructure achieved at low cost is paramount to New York’s ability to attract the best and the brightest students to grow our economy.”
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “SUNY is happy with the excellent result of this bond sale, which will provide low-cost borrowing for the self-sufficient residence hall program. This will help maintain a safe, convenient, and affordable living environment for our students. We are pleased to, once again, provide this necessary financing in partnership with DASNY.”
Dr. Dallas Bauman, Assistant Vice President for Campus Residences said, “Because of DASNY’s allocation of this funding, we have taken an important step to address the growing housing needs of our students. The newly expanded facilities now offer outstanding on-campus living options. We continue to be fully committed to consistently increasing the quality of life for our students and our partnership with DASNY has allowed this to move forward.”
The work includes two new state-of-the-art dorms named after renowned civil rights activists. César Chávez Hall with its 302 beds, honors the late Mexican-American labor organizer and civil rights leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers Union and helped unionize thousands of farmworkers in California’s Central Valley. Harriet Tubman Hall and its 457 beds honors the American abolitionist and humanitarian. The facilities will be suite-style, single-room design. Features include quiet study areas, smart lounges and laundry lounges on each floor, as well as green roofs with landscaping and outdoor seating.
The new East Side Dining facility offers multiple food-court style and dine-in restaurant options, including exhibition-style cooking in the open concept kitchen that allows patrons to see their food being freshly prepared.