$155m CUNY expansion now underway in Brooklyn.

A $155-million academic complex at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn broke ground last week with state and college officials in attendance.

"Medgar Evers College is an outstanding symbol of the strength and vision of the City University of New York," Gov. George E. Pataki said. "By breaking ground today on this new complex, we are making a commitment to a new generation of New Yorkers that will allow them to reach their educational goals and achieve their future dreams."

In 2002, the Governor pledged more than $61 million in State funding to help construct the academic facilities through the CUNY Capital Plan. Construction is now set to begin following the completion of design specifications for the two facilities-one which will be known as the Student Support Services Building and the other as Academic Complex I.

"These new educational facilities will ensure that the students of Medgar Evers can enhance their education at a more centralized location, surrounded by the resources they need to succeed in school, get their degrees and find a good job," Pataki said. "The new complex will also create a new center of activity and strengthen the College's overall sense of community. I am pleased to join with Medgar Evers College's students, faculty and administrators in breaking ground on this important project." The new flagship complex is expected to provide approximately 238,950 s/f of modern academic space. The buildings will provide space for instruction in a variety of disciplines. Upon completion, the Student Support Services Building and Academic Complex I will provide the College with a presence on three of the four corners on the Bedford Avenue and Crown Street intersection.

"This expansion of Medgar Evers College continues the commitment made by our founders to meet the educational and social needs of Central Brooklyn," said Medgar Evers College President Edison O. Jackson. "It could not have been possible without the outstanding support of our Governor, our Mayor, other elected officials, the City University of New York, and all who view the College as a vital institution. When this exciting project is completed, the Central Brooklyn community will have even more reasons to proudly claim Medgar Evers College as their college of choice."

Presently, the College's main buildings are located on Bedford Avenue and on Carroll Street in the old Brooklyn Preparatory School. In addition, the College occupies roughly 15,000 square feet of leased modular trailers, which are located adjacent to the Carroll Street building and 25,000 square feet of leased space in the downtown Brooklyn Metro Tech business complex.

The Student Services Support Building is a 44,950 square foot three-story building designed by Gruzen Santon Architects for both academic and student support services. The classrooms, computer labs and lecture hall will be electronically smart facilities equipped with advanced technology. All non-instructional student support services such as Admissions, Financial Aid, and Registrar will be located in this building. In addition, there will be four computer-equipped facilities for Testing and Assessment, Financial Aid, Aerospace, and General Instruction.

The Academic Complex I facility will be the future home of the School of