$19M SUNY New Paltz Residence Hall Completed

NEW PALTZ, NY — A $19 million renovation at SUNY New Paltz's Bevier Hall has been completed. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo made the announcement Wednesday. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York improvement project for the 49-year-old residence hall included a new roof, windows, floors and bathrooms. The 212-bed hall also received a new elevator and entrance, as well an enhanced lounge space for students to meet.

Heating, ventilation and Wi-Fi along with mechanical, plumbing and fire protection systems were also upgraded. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"This $19 million investment in SUNY New Paltz's residence hall will help to attract New York's best and brightest students from across the state," Cuomo said. "By upgrading and improving campuses throughout our top-notch SUNY system, we create a learning environment that fosters innovation — helping to mold the state's next generation of leaders."

The project was done to LEED-Gold standards under the U.S. Green Building Council's sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines. Low-emitting materials were used to ensure air quality. Bike racks and water bottle fill stations were installed, as was energy-efficient lighting.

Energy performance is expected to be nearly 30 percent better than code, supporting Governor Cuomo's Executive Order 88, which is to achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy use in State buildings by 2020 through the BuildSmart NY program. The New York Power Authority, and its partnership with the SUNY system and five other State agencies accounting for 90 percent of State building space, are central to the BuildSmart NY effort. The Bevier project and BuildSmart NY support the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV is ensuring the State meets its 2030 energy goals of reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent and decreasing energy consumption in buildings by 23 percent.

SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian said, "Providing our students with access to state-of-the-art living and learning spaces, like Bevier, meets the call for high-impact teaching and learning practices. These modern facilities provide students with the opportunity to actively engage in the College community and to learn about themselves and others, to explore their interests, and become leaders beyond the classroom."

The project is part of $47 million in Capital Projects being completed for SUNY Campuses statewide. It is also the third in a series of major residence hall renovations DASNY has completed at SUNY New Paltz. Each exceeded expectations by being completed in a little more than seven months. The upgrades at Crispell, Lefevre and Bevier halls makes them ready to serve a new generation of students while meeting modern efficiency standards. The projects were financed through DASNY's SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program, which issues low-cost tax-exempt bonds supported by student residence hall fees.

Photo credit: DASNY.