Renovation will Bring a Wellness Center to the Campus
ALBANY, N.Y. –Gerrard P. Bushell, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), announced today work has begun on a $24.5 million project to renovate Beverwyck and Schuyler Halls at the University at Albany. When the renovation is complete, Beverwyck and Schuyler Halls will be able to accommodate 171 students and will include a newly relocated Wellness Center. The state-of-the-art center will provide students on campus access to health, wellness, and counseling services.
This project is part of more than $73 million in capital renovation projects DASNY is beginning on SUNY campuses statewide. The renovation was financed through DASNY’s SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program, which issues low-cost, tax-exempt bonds supported by student residence hall fees. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2019.
The project will be constructed to LEED-Gold standards under the sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“New York State’s higher education institutions are boosting innovation and driving economic development in the region,” said Dr. Bushell. “DASNY is proud to work with SUNY to ensure its campuses have best-in-class, energy efficient facilities that will provide students the environment they need to achieve success.”
Some of the LEED elements include installing a tankless water heating system, which provides an endless supply of hot water while saving space and reducing energy costs, a new high-efficient heating system, energy-saving LED lighting in the hallways and student rooms, equipping bathrooms with water-efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce indoor water usage, and an upgraded ventilation system that uses energy recovery technology.
As of March 31, 2018, 42 DASNY projects have received a rating of LEED Certified or better, helping to reach Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s statewide energy goals to build a clean energy future for all of New York State.
“With 40 percent of state buildings under our ownership, SUNY has a significant footprint in New York State, and therefore a sizeable opportunity to build on energy sustainability,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “We are thankful for DASNY’s partnership to retrofit our facilities to be more energy efficient, while at the same time providing a safe and healthy environment for our students.”
“Relocating the wellness center to an on-campus location will ensure our students have the most convenient access to meet their primary care needs,” said University at Albany Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration John Giarrusso. “We are proud to partner with DASNY in our commitment to the health and well-being of our students and for the entire array of facilities upgrades we are pursuing.”
In addition, a Student Success Center and vending café will be incorporated into the first-floor space between the two residence halls to foster a living-learning community on Dutch Quad. Beverwyck and Schuyler Halls will also be the first residence halls on the Dutch Quad to include air conditioning.
You can view photos on DASNY's Flickr page.