Renovations completed at SUNY Potsdam dorm

POTSDAM — Renovations to the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam’s largest dormitory hall added a new technology center and improvements to existing space.

The work at Bowman Hall, a housing complex of 196,000 square feet where more than 700 students live, began in summer 2008. Improvements included dormitories with new carpeting, doors, energy efficient windows, adjustable thermostats, individual shower stalls, free laundry space, and more electrical outlets, says Alexandra Jacobs, communication and government relations associate at SUNY Potsdam.

The project also added a 15,000-square-foot extension with a technology center. The center provides multiple high-speed Internet cables and power outlets where students can take their laptops and do their homework in a quiet place, Jacobs said via email.

“This is a way to give [students] an extra spot to work if there are too many distractions in their room and they don’t want to trek to the library or a computer lab,” she said.

The extension also includes a communal kitchen, social gathering areas, and game rooms with air hockey, foosball, and pool tables, according to a news release.

 “It’s exciting for the college because this is our largest residential complex and this has been the result of an ongoing phased in project,” Jacobs says. “It’s exciting for our incoming students because this is the main facility that houses our first year students.”

The project cost $16.8 million. Funding came from the Dormitory Income Fund Reimbursable, with oversight from the New York State Dormitory Authority, Jacobs said via email.

Contractors on the four-phase project included Windows Specialists, Inc. of Lancaster, Dow Electric of Malone, Contracting Management, Inc. of Bernhards Bay, and Loran Construction of Hogansburg.

SUNY Potsdam is waiting on approval by the New York State Legislature to start a fifth renovations phase, Jacobs says.

“[The fifth phase of renovations] would cost about $10 million if we could complete it today,” Jacobs said via email. “The funding may not come through until next year, though.”

Contact Imbert at news@cnybj.com