Public Investments Toward Capital Upgrades to Keep CUNY Colleges in Queens Competitive
QUEENS, NY – Borough President Melinda Katz today announced an allocation of $3.64 million of her Fiscal Year 2017 discretionary capital dollars to fund projects at four of the City University of New York (CUNY) public institutions of higher learning in Queens. The funding will enhance the educational experience for CUNY students who attend Queens College in Flushing, York College in Jamaica, Queensborough Community College in Bayside and LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. The fifth CUNY institution in Queens – CUNY School of Law in Long Island City – did not request any capital funding from the Borough President this year.
“As the third-largest university system in the United States, CUNY offers a high-quality and remarkably affordable and competitive higher education that enables the pursuit of the American Dream,” said Borough President KATZ. “CUNY has been a critical door to opportunities for millions of New Yorkers and their families, and here in Queens we’re proud to be home to some of the best of CUNY schools. This multi-million dollar allocation of public funding is a direct investment into the public colleges of our borough so that CUNY remains able to meet the educational needs of its hard-working students.”
“Queens Borough President Katz had provided critical and generous funding for CUNY projects that will enhance program quality, student experience and college value at Queens, York, LaGuardia and Queensborough Community Colleges,” said CUNY Chancellor JAMES B. MILLIKEN. “I deeply appreciate her commitment to CUNY, which has such a positive impact on the borough and city.”
The $3.64 million allocation for capital projects at the Queens CUNY campuses breaks down as follows:
- $1 million to fully fund the construction of recording studios for the new Music and Production Certificate program at Queens College. It will provide multi-use facilities for classrooms, rehearsal and performance spaces and laboratories for performers, composers and teachers. The project will provide the proper acoustical components, sound absorbers, diffusers and ceiling elements, creating spaces conducive to live musical performances and high-quality audio recordings. The studios also will be ideally suited for distance learning applications and webcasting for music students as well as for the college community. Anticipated completion January 2019.
- $1 million toward the construction of the Center for Career and Employment Training at LaGuardia Community College. The Center will serve as a central location for all LaGuardia Community College students to connect to a wide network of employers and have access to real-time labor market data. The Center will also offer students advisement and training that will lead to employment in high demand and growing job sectors in New York City. The total projected cost of the project is $6 million, with a possible $2 million from the New York City Council and $3 million from New York State. Design to begin July 2017 with construction to begin January 2018. Anticipated completion August 2018.
- $1 million toward creating a modern kitchen and dining hall at Queensborough Community College that will replace the college’s current undersized basement dining hall. The allocation is toward the balance of city funding needed for Phase 2 based on current estimates, with a possible $1 million from New York State. Anticipated completion March 2019.
- $640,000 toward renovating the greenhouse at York College.
This year’s $3.64 million allocation comes on top of the $8.75 million previously allocated by Borough President Katz between Fiscal Years 2015-16 toward CUNY capital projects.
Swiv Prezidan Borough Katz atrave @melindakatz www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz