It is time for building permits and groundbreaking on a new private dorm for Buffalo State students. The new Greenleaf & Co. development will be located on the Grant Street side of the college campus.
Buffalo's Planning Board gave final approval Monday to the project, after Greenleaf & Co. came back to the agency with some changes in the plans approved last year. The changes include a little less brick and some changes in the windows.
The $20 million development includes two-buildings totaling 84 units with 318 beds. Greenleaf President Jim Swiezy said the project has an aggressive schedule for construction and opening.
"We're looking to break ground later this week, so we're ready to go. LP Ciminelli is going to be the general contractor on the project. This thing is scheduled to be finished by July of 2017 in order to have students moving in in August," Swiezy said.
Buffalo State was so short on dorm space last year, it rented rooms for 250 students at Canisius and Medaille colleges. Swiezy said the rooms will have everything from high-speed Wi-Fi to laundry equipment.
"These are actually 1,400-to-1,500- square-foot suites that have individual bedrooms with bathrooms, that each have security for the individual students. They have all the amenities," Swiezy said.
"We have fitness center. There's a computer lab that's going to offer Apple products for the convenience of the students. There're study lounges. There're areas for gathering. There's an exterior. There's a fire pit which is going to have some lounge areas for the students," Swiergy said.
He said the rentals will be within 10 percent of the college dorm price and be within walking distance to Buffalo State.
