Rapid student growth at SUNY-ESF has resulted in expansion to Centennial Hall, the college’s first residential dorm.

The construction, which will begin approximately July 1, will accommodate 84 students and should be ready to occupy by fall semester 2014.

Centennial Hall originally opened for fall semester 2011 and currently houses 452 students.  Just two years later, the growth of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry has necessitated this 34,000 square foot addition.

“We’re really excited that the demand for the building has been such that we’re adding onto it this quickly,” said Brenda Greenfield, director of development and executive director of the ESF College Foundation. “We didn’t imagine that we would be expanding this quickly.”

Bonds from the Onondaga Civic Development Corp will fund the $7 million addition.

The addition will utilize the same style as the existing 138,200 square foot dorm and, like the original building, will be built in a factory and assembled on site using modular construction.  Modular construction is quicker, creates a higher-quality product with less waste and won’t be affected by winter weather, said Greenfield.

In accordance with biannual surveys completed by Centennial Hall residents, the addition will include a second indoor bike storage room and more common study space for students.

The addition will consist of two-bedroom semi-suites and four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Most of those rooms will likely go to ESF upperclassmen, for which housing is scarce, Greenfield said.

Site work for the addition will be carried this summer with modular construction planned to occur during spring break and interior work scheduled for summer 2014.  The construction will not make the current building inaccessible in any way during the school year, Greenfield said.

 

Published on May 16, 2013 at 3:14 pm

Contact Maggie: mmcregan@syr.edu