When this new dormitory opens in fall 2013, students from a much larger area will be able to come to SUNY Adirondack to pursue their college degrees.
By Barbara Brewer La Mere
Warren and Washington Counties, the sponsoring counties of SUNY Adirondack, have been experiencing population decline and a corresponding decline in the number of high school graduates. Because this impacts on the enrollment numbers at the college, SUNY Adirondack sought ways to boost enrollment figures. In order to attract students from outside the local area, a new building featuring two wings of dormitory suites is being added to the landscape of the college’s Queensbury campus. The building, with 400-bed capacity, will be owned by the college Faculty-Student Association, an affiliate of the college and operated by the FSA’s associate, Adirondack Housing.
According to Mark Perfitt, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, marketing efforts will focus on residents of Long Island and New Jersey, who make up a large percentage of the Lake George tourist economy. Students and their families who have experienced what the region has to offer while vacationing now have the opportunity to choose higher education options at SUNY Adirondack with on-campus living arrangements. Students who complete Associate’s degrees while living in the dorms may continue to live on-campus while completing third and fourth years of a Bachelor’s program through SUNY Plattsburgh’s Queensbury branch. Perfitt expresses hope that having dorms on campus will boost student life and, possibly, college athletics.
Research indicated student preferences for two-and four-room suites. Thus, that is the configuration of the dorm spaces, which form the 4-story uprights of the “H”- shaped layout. This provides students with relaxation and study space apart from their bedrooms. The two-story connecting “crossbar” of the “H” will contain a Commons area, a fitness facility, laundry rooms, offices for security and dormitory staff, and some classrooms.
Having students residing on campus entails renovations to food service facilities, offering a wider variety of food, extended hours, and a new food service vendor, Chartwells, present on many college campuses. All space in the new building will accommodate the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A housing director is being hired, and the campus will soon have increased security presence.
Construction of the $25 million, 148,000 square foot project began in mid-June. Dorms should be ready for full occupancy by Fall Semester, 2013.
According to Dick White, Division Manager of Bette & Cring, lead construction company for the project, a panelized exterior wall system, manufactured off-site, will make enclosing the structure before winter weather approaches an easier task. A pre-cast concrete floor system, manufactured by Oldcastle Precast will speed the building process as well. Because the site is adjacent to wetlands, runoff is addressed in part by green roofing, including greenery that will capture some of the rainwater. In order to make the building accessible to large vehicles or make the site available for extra parking, a grass block paver system is being installed. Though the surface will appear as grass, it will be reinforced with concrete to accommodate the weight of vehicles.
Other green attributes of the project will include studs that contain a percentage of recycled metal. Carpeting will have recycled content as well. Paints will be considered for low volatile organic chemical content. Using products produced closer to the construction site for reduced fuel consumption in transport will also be considered wherever possible.
Luizzi Brothers of Albany are responsible for site work. Bette & Cring is creating the foundations. Standard Steel Fabrication of Voorheesville is doing the on-site structural steel work. Moulton Masonry of Lake Luzerne is the masonry contractor. Homiak Brothers of Berlin are the plumbers. Heating systems will be by Eastern Heating. A. E. Rosen is the electrical contracting company. There are other aspects of the project still out for bid.
For additional information regarding the project, Mark Perfitt may be reached at 743-2245 or at parfittm@sunyacc.edu. Dick White can be reached at 213-1047 or dwhite@bettecring.com.