GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF $16 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT AT SUNY BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DASNY Completes Third Tower Renovation at College
Project Includes Renovation of 36 Student Suites
View Photos Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a $16 million project to renovate Tower Three at SUNY Buffalo State College. This project is part of roughly $73 million in capital renovation projects the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York is completing on SUNY campuses statewide. The project was financed through DASNY's SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program, which issues low-cost, tax-exempt bonds supported by student residence hall fees.
"Higher education is one of the most important investments we can make in our communities and our state," Governor Cuomo said. "By providing campuses with state-of-the-art facilities like the revamped Tower Three at SUNY Buffalo to house and teach future leaders, we can ensure the Empire State continues attracting the best talent."
"With this significant investment in student housing, today is a great day for Western New York and the SUNY Buffalo State community," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This beautifully renovated facility is a testament to the dedication to our students, and is part of our continued commitment to higher education. We will always answer the call to help make sure our students at SUNY and CUNY campuses have the resources they need to achieve success."
This is the third tower capital renovation project DASNY has completed for the college. The project was completed in time for start of the fall semester.
DASNY's work included modernizing 36 suites, which house six students each. The suites received fresh paint, new built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms, luxury-vinyl tile floors, and upgraded television and Wi-Fi access. Suite bathrooms were completely transformed, embracing privacy, while taking on a more residential-style look and feel. Students will notice contemporary new finishes, ceramic tile floors and walls, and new solid-surface showers and countertops.
On the 10th floor, a new lounge boasts incredible views of Buffalo, in addition to amenities such as a new kitchen, plush lounge seating areas, individual work spaces, and bathrooms. A similar lounge is located on the first floor along with a handicap-accessible bathroom, new staff offices and finishes throughout, as well as a two-bedroom apartment for the resident director.
In the basement, students will find a new laundry room with washers and dryers, as well as a computer room equipped with power and internet connectivity.
New heating and ventilation systems were installed to ensure safe and healthy building conditions are achieved. All the residences mechanical equipment, generator, electrical, and fire alarm systems have been modernized and upgraded to meet clean air and lead-free water standards.
Gerrard P. Bushell, Ph.D., DASNY President & CEO, said, "DASNY is committed to helping build modern facilities that foster collaboration and creativity, and help students feel at home. These upgrades will make the campus more attractive to top-tier talent and will help play a critical role in boosting the Western New York economy."
The Tower Three project was constructed to LEED-Silver standards under the sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council. Some of the LEED elements include equipping bathrooms with water-efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce indoor water usage, energy-saving LED lights and low mercury lamps, and a bicycle storage area to reduce the need for automotive transportation. As of August 20, 2019, 46 DASNY projects have received a rating of LEED Certified or better, helping to reach statewide energy goals to build a clean energy future for all of New York State.
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, "New York has made a significant investment in our students to provide an infrastructure that is welcoming, safe, and conducive to an excellent educational experience. By partnering with DASNY on the renovation of Tower Three to be more energy efficient, we utilized lighting and structural improvements that lessen our carbon footprint, and we will continue to use this model on campus projects throughout the state."
Buffalo State College President Katherine Conway-Turner said, "Our students are thrilled with the newly-renovated Tower Three. We are committed to providing our resident students with modern amenities and a residential experience in which they can thrive both academically and socially. We once again thank the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for their partnership and support, and look forward to the completion of the fourth and final Tower renovation in the coming years."
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, "I am delighted for SUNY Buffalo State College, its students, and the Buffalo region as a whole to see this multi-million-dollar project completed. It is a towering symbol of our dedication to our youth, ensuring they have the facilities and tools they need to become the future stewards of our economy."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "It is a privilege to work with Governor Cuomo and DASNY as we continue to build on Buffalo State's status as a world-class educational institution. The completed work at all three campus towers is a prime example of Governor Cuomo's dedication to providing students with the kind of living and learning environment only Western New York can provide. We look forward to seeing our young people flourish in these upgraded residential facilities."
About DASNY
Founded in 1944, DASNY - the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York - is New York State's capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond portfolio of approximately $56.7 billion as of June 30, 2019. DASNY is also a prolific public builder with a construction pipeline of 1,050 projects valued at nearly $6.9 billion as of July 31, 2019. To learn more about DASNY, visit www.dasny.org.
About The State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, with 64 college and university campuses located within 30 miles of every home, school, and business in the state. As of Fall 2018, more than 424,000 students were enrolled in a degree program at a SUNY campus. In total, SUNY served 1.4 million students in credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs in the 2017-18 academic year. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Its students and faculty make significant contributions to research and discovery, contributing to a $1.6 billion research portfolio. There are 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.
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