DASNY and SUNY to renovate student housing at SUNY Cortland – $30 million project

Albany, NY According to The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and the State University of New York, (SUNY) construction teams managed by DASNY will begin a $30 million project to renovate the Smith and Casey Tower Complex at SUNY Cortland. The renovation is being financed by low-cost, tax-exempt bonds issued by DASNY as part of its SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program. Construction is expected to be completed by August 2021.

“Partners since the 1940s, DASNY is proud to continue to work with SUNY and provide its expertise to modernize the Smith and Casey Tower Complex at SUNY Cortland,” said DASNY acting president and CEO Reuben McDaniel, III. “The cost-effective, sustainable solutions that DASNY’s design and construction teams are developing for this 10-story complex will provide its students with an optimal environment for living and learning.”

“By providing modern, state-of-the-art living facilities, we’re attracting more students to reside on campus to study, grow as individuals, and participate in a diverse college community,” said SUNY chancellor Kristina Johnson. “We are proud to partner with DASNY on the renovation of the Smith and Casey Tower Complex at Cortland, which will create a better space for students while also fostering an environment that’s conducive to their success.”

The Smith and Casey Towers will undergo renovations to modernize the 147,000 s/f complex. The first-floor entry and lobby will be remodeled to include moveable walls, allowing for functions of various sizes. In addition, another small lounge with kitchenette will be added to that floor.

Bedrooms and corridors in the two towers, which house 560 students, will receive fresh paint and finishes as well as new LED lighting. The bathrooms will be transformed, complete with new showers, sinks, plumbing fixtures, exhaust fans, paint and tile. Low-flow faucets and toilets to conserve water also will be installed. The lounges on the upper floors of both towers will also be upgraded to include modern kitchenettes, while floors nine and ten will include new laundry facilities.

New exterior windows will be fitted on floors three through ten to improve comfort and energy efficiency of the complex. In addition, two new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, known as Make-Up Air units, will be installed on the roof to ensure optimum ventilation and healthy building conditions are achieved. New high-efficiency boilers will also be installed.

All doors on floors three through ten will be replaced and all bedrooms will receive power and data upgrades. Fire protection systems will be extended to the upper floors providing a full-coverage sprinkler system throughout, and fire alarm upgrades will also be made to enhance resident safety.

SUNY Cortland president Erik Bitterbaum said, “The renovation of Casey and Smith halls marks the completion of an extensive upgrading and construction effort, made possible by DASNY and gov. Andrew Cuomo, aimed at improving all of SUNY Cortland’s student resident halls. When it is done, all of our on-campus student apartments will be completely modern, energy efficient and competitive with residences available at more expensive, private colleges.”