Borough of Manhattan Community College unveils Fiterman Hall project

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, assembly speaker Sheldon Silver, borough president Scott Stringer, City University chancellor Dr. Matthew Goldstein and Paul Williams Jr., executive director of the Dormitory of Authority of the state of New York, representing governor David Paterson, recently unveiled an agreement to fund the demolition of Fiterman Hall and the construction of a new classroom building for the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in its place. Fiterman Hall, a 15-story building adjacent to the World Trade Center site, was scheduled to open as a classroom building in the fall of 2001. Before classes could meet there, the building was damaged and contaminated with debris during the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Decontamination and demolition of the building will be completed in 2009. "This site is an essential part of the revitalization of Lower Manhattan, and of our vision of making Lower Manhattan a vibrant 24-7 community," said Mayor Bloomberg. "I'm delighted that, as completion of the demolition phase of the project approaches, this new agreement will allow us to seamlessly press ahead with the next phases of work at the Fiterman Hall site." "A new Fiterman Hall is a major step forward in our efforts to rebuild lower Manhattan," said borough president Stringer. "This agreement among the city, the state and CUNY will ensure a vibrant future for this downtown neighborhood." BMCC, which was originally designed to accommodate 10,000 students, today serves more than twice that number. The new building will help relieve overcrowded classrooms. This project will cost $325 million, $139 million of which has been appropriated by the city. The balance will be funded by the state and CUNY. The new building is expected to be ready for occupancy by the spring of 2012. The building will be occupied by the classrooms and offices of various BMCC departments. The city has been part of the community advisory panel established by CUNY to ensure the decontamination is being done safely and with community input.