Queens, NY \u2013 Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced that this year\u2019s approved city capital budget includes $71 million over four years for critical repairs to the infrastructure at the city\u2019s many CUNY campuses. The City Council and Bloomberg Administration will each split the capital funding cost and the State will match this new funding.<\/p>\n
Speaker Quinn was joined by Bronx Community College President Carole B. Joseph, Hostos Community College President Matos Rodriguez, The New Community College at CUNY President Scott Evenbeck, Queensborough Community College President Diane Call, CUNY Vice Chancellor Iris Weinshall, Kingsborough Community College Provost Stuart Suss, Kingsborough community college Vice President Wililam Keller, Council Finance Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer, Councilman Robert Jackson, High Education Chair Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator Michael Gianaris.<\/p>\n
The first project to be addressed with this capital funding will be Center 3\u2019s fa\u00e7ade at LaGuardia Community College. This building is nearly 100 years old \u2013 it was originally built as the Loose-Wiles Sunshine Biscuit factory in 1914, at the time one of the largest concrete buildings that housed one of the largest bakeries, employing 2,500 people. CUNY acquired it in 1998 and they have slowly been renovating it with city and state support. But the crucial issue of late is this building\u2019s massive terra cotta fa\u00e7ade, which also is antique and in bad shape. It needs to be completely replaced if the building is to be preserved. CUNY plans to replace the old fa\u00e7ade with a modern, energy-efficient and beautiful fa\u00e7ade that will carry on Center 3\u2019s prominent place in the Long Island City skyline. They\u2019ve estimated the entire project at around $120 million and up to now have planned to phase the construction due to the anticipated availability of funding. But now with the infusion of $71 million in City funding I am pleased to report that all project funding is in hand and the project can be bid in a single phase, which will lower the overall cost and reduce construction time. Right now the project is in design; it will be bid next spring.
\nBronx Community College
\nThe new $71 million in funding will also allow CUNY to continue construction on another important project, at Bronx Community College where the campus central plant and all heating, cooling, and electrical distribution infrastructure are gradually being upgraded. This project truly defines the \u201ccritical\u201d in critical maintenance. Without these upgrades, Bronx CC\u2019s deteriorated systems will eventually fail and buildings on the campus will have to be taken offline. The first two phases are in construction, thanks in part to Council and Mayoral help. The additional city funding given this year will enable the next phase to move into construction quickly.<\/p>\n
Other projects this funding will allow CUNY to address\u2026<\/p>\n
At Hostos Community College, a phased, comprehensive renovation of the five-story 500 Grand Concourse facility is underway. The first and fifth floors are renovated, and this additional funding will allow for completion of the remaining floors and finish the long-term renovation within the next several years. <\/p>\n
At Kingsborough Community College the campus fire alarm system is in dire need of modernization. City funding will allow CUNY to continue those upgrades as well as continue with the roof repair\/replacement program of the last several years.<\/p>\n
At Borough of Manhattan Community College, several projects at the main campus building demand attention, particularly the replacement of the facility\u2019s many deteriorated windows with new energy-efficient ones, as well continuing fa\u00e7ade repairs and other critical maintenance.<\/p>\n
Finally, at Queensborough Community College, a roof replacement project for three roofs on campus is badly needed. In addition, CUNY needs to continue ADA-accessibility upgrades to the campus theater, including elevator replacement, installation of disabled-accessible ramps, restroom reconfiguration, and upgrades to the stage.<\/p>\n
“Speaker Quinn and the City Council understand that higher education is key to New York City’s growth and vibrancy and a catalyst for economic development,\u201d said Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College. \u201cThrough their leadership millions of dollars in much needed funds were provided to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for our growing student population at LaGuardia and throughout CUNY. At LaGuardia alone, more than 50,000 people study at the college each year and with the Speaker’s support we will be able to make sure our buildings can meet the growing demands for high-quality, affordable education.”<\/p>\n
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Queens, NY \u2013 Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced that this year\u2019s approved city capital budget includes $71 million over four years for critical repairs to the infrastructure at the city\u2019s many CUNY campuses. The City Council and Bloomberg Administration will each split the capital funding cost and the State will match this new funding.<\/p>\n
Speaker Quinn was joined by Bronx Community College President Carole B.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n