Plattsburgh, NY The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and The State University of New York (SUNY), celebrated the on-time completion of the $19 million project to renovate SUNY Plattsburgh’s Whiteface Hall. This project is part of $73 million in capital renovation projects DASNY 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.
“This partnership has developed a cost-effective and efficient program to update our residential halls, providing our students with safe, healthy, and more modern living arrangements,” said SUNY chancellor Kristina Johnson. “The Whiteface Hall project at SUNY Plattsburgh is the latest in a long line of renovations constructed across SUNY campuses around the state this summer and we are pleased it was completed on-time to be used this Fall.”
“Higher education institutions, like SUNY Plattsburgh, rely on DASNY for our expertise and the value we bring to every project,” said Stephen Curro, P.E., DASNY’s managing director of construction. “The cost-effective, sustainable solutions incorporated into Whiteface Hall are a clear example of our mission to meet or exceed SUNY Plattsburgh’s needs and provide its students with an optimal environment for living and learning.”
The renovations include a new open stairway access to allow natural light into the basement area, which now features a new recreation space. In addition, two lounges were added to the residence, one on the first floor and another on the ninth. The ninth-floor lounge offers views of New York’s Adirondack Mountains and Vermont’s Green Mountains.
The residence also features collaborative study areas and full kitchens on each floor. Two public bathrooms were also renovated, with the installation of individual showers and toilets with lockable doors situated away from the community sink areas to increase privacy.
The current Housing and Residence Life office space was renovated, enlarged, and re-named “Campus Housing and Community Living.” There is also a new residence assistant (RA) and housing director work room, private office space, small conference room, and RA office. A card-access entrance on Rugar St.was also added.
Whiteface Hall incorporates many sustainable elements, increasing energy efficiency and improving the overall comfort for its residents. The residence hall’s open floor plan provides more space for students to interact and introduces more natural light into the building. It also creates open, collaborative spaces, while maximizing the number of beds. The exterior of the building received new energy-efficient windows, insulated metal panels, and multiple entrance canopies.
What’s more, the residence received a new high-efficient heating system and an upgraded ventilation system that uses energy recovery technology. These energy-saving measures are expected to reduce the buildings energy usage by 29%.
Chief administrative officer-in-charge at SUNY Plattsburgh, Josee Larochelle said, “The partnership with DASNY provides us a seamless path to renovate our residence halls. This ensures they are state-of-the-art facilities that will provide a vibrant living and learning environment for our students. The completely renovated Whiteface Hall is an example of the best on-campus community living experience for our students.”
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