Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus, a notable student housing facility in Kips Bay, is set to undergo a significant transformation into a vast, multisector “Science Park and Research Campus.” The upcoming project, termed “SPARC Kips Bay,” has sparked concerns over how Hunter College plans to replace its budget-friendly student housing.
The Advent SPARC Kips Bay
Encompassing approximately 2 million square feet, SPARC Kips Bay will occupy the entire block of the existing campus. This area spans East 25th and 26th Streets and First Avenue and the FDR Drive. Three state-of-the-art interconnected towers, a pedestrian-friendly bridge to the riverfront, and open space will characterize the impressive new structure.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation, the principal entity behind the ambitious project, released a request for proposals (RFP) on Wednesday. The RFP is seeking a capable company to manage the two-tier construction. The value of this contract is speculated to surpass $1 billion.
Building A New Era
The blueprint of SPARC Kips Bay is set for rezoning implementation in late summer, with construction beginning in 2025 and wrapping in 2031. Local and state governments, along with private investors, are rallying together over $3.6 billion to put this project in motion.
Estimated to yield $42 billion in economic gain over the next three decades, SPARC Kips Bay promises thousands of jobs. The facility will house classrooms and laboratories for three CUNY branches, including a relocation space for Hunter’s School of Nursing. In addition, a public science-oriented school and the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will find a home in SPARC.
CUNY Chancellor FĂ©lix Matos RodrĂguez noted that the groundbreaking facility will offer enriching opportunities for thousands of students, bolstering the city’s diverse workforce in the life sciences and public health sectors.
Housing Hurdle
Notably absent from the plan is how Hunter College intends to replace the affordable dormitories currently housed on its Brookdale campus. With an estimated housing support for 650 students, Brookdale presents a low-cost option for a fraction of Hunter’s almost 23,000 strong student body.
The current dorms, a steal at $7,600 annually, will see closure post-May 2025 to make way for SPARC’s commencement later in the year. A university spokesperson assured that displaced Brookdale students will find appropriate accommodations in other CUNY dorms across Manhattan.
Rousing Resistance
However, the spokesperson sidestepped queries regarding the construction of new dormitories despite mounting calls from Hunter’s student community. P.M. Campbell, a Hunter student and Back Brookdale activist, commented on the critical need for affordable housing. He underscored the importance of fostering a sense of community and minimizing time spent commuting for students.
Jennifer Gaboury, a veteran faculty member at Hunter, affirmed the pressing need for sufficient student housing options. She added additional costs such as those for student housing could determine a student’s graduation prospects.
In conclusion, the unveiling of SPARC has also brought to light the acute housing shortage in New York. It is now more important than ever that the project takes the students’ housing needs into account to prevent this scientific marvel from becoming a housing disaster.