Seawolves Fans

Hopefully one of our governors of the future  will make bold choice and  officially  declare  a SUNY University  the Flagship  of the system.  Right  now we have this quasi arrangement  with us and UB kind of in limbo since Rockefeller.

Looks like some of the things to make the SBU surrounding area continue to be discussed.  It will be interesting to see some of the ideas.  My wife and I will be attending this evening, so I'll let you all know if I hear any good ideas:

THREE VILLAGE COMMUNITY TRUST
 
Join Us Tonight!
Monday, May 19th, 6pm
at the Bates House, 1 Bates Road (off Main Street), Setauket.
Conceptual Plans for Route 25A
SBU Student Presentations, Round Two.
Fourteen students in Stony Brook University's environmental planning, policy and design program will present strategic visions for the area around the Stony Brook LIRR station based on studies of existing conditions of the Route 25A corridor completed last semester.
 
The students will propose a set of short-term and long-term investments and policies that could help increase the economic vitality of the 25A corridor, provide desired public amenities and address environmental sustainability. Four student groups will present their conceptual plans, followed by a discussion of the proposed strategies.
The students presented their "existing conditions" studies of this location in December 2013 to local residents. There was much enthusiasm about continuing these studies and the discussions the student presentations inspired. The attention given continues to foster actions to make improvements in significant ways - evidence the proposed sidewalks and lowered speed limit for Nicolls Road!
 
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served.
 
Donovan Finn is an urban planner and lecturer in the Sustainability Studies Program at Stony Brook University. The course is "Theories and Design of Urban Settlements."
 
 
 

 

thanks gold- will be very happy to hear comments from the mtg...

First, I should note that the presentations were made by four teams of undergrads as one of the assignments in Prof. Finn's class.  So, they did not represent in-depth studies with detailed plans re: how to overcome community, legal and funding barriers.  Rather, they each presented their visions/ideas for the future, and specifically focused on the areas adjacent to and across from the Stony Brook train station.

That said, many of the ideas were interesting and led to some lively discussion.  Most centered attention on the following, dividing the ideas up into short, mid and long-range categories;

--upgrade of commercial area on North side of 25A, including reconfiguring of structures and rear parking in lieu of current disastrous distributed parking nightmare.

--creation of open spaces (perhaps negotiating with Stony Brook School) to obtain some land space

--slowing of auto traffic and easing of pedestrian movement through installation of medians, walkways, etc.

--expansion of train station for more utility, expanded seating areas, weather protection for waiting passengers and potential for modern transit hub to better accommodate parking, buses and taxis

--general beautification (e.g. walkways, plantings, etc.) and sustainability modifications (e.g. solar provisions, rain water use, etc.)

As I indicated, none of this is ready for submittal to anyone.  But, it's nice to know the conversation is in motion somewhere.  I think Prof. Finn may be a good resource for anyone wanting to pursue some specifics to move forward in the future.

found this (outdated) news today on the Toll Drive residence halls... http://sbstatesman.com/2014/09/04/what-you-missed-at-stony-brook-while-you-were-away/

Construction of new residence halls and a 60,000 square foot dining facility began on Toll Drive between Mendelsohn Quad and the Wang Center. Groundbreaking on the first phase of the project, which includes the dining facility, took place on July 30.

The second phase, which will add a commons building, is scheduled to be completed by fall 2016. The new suite-style buildings will add 759 beds to the university’s housing capacity, bringing the total above 10,300.  The dining facility portion is intended to take the place of the food services of the Stony Brook Union, according to a univeristy press release.

 

In response to the increasing demand for on-campus housing from new and continuing students, the University has commenced the construction of 759 beds of new residence hall accommodations and a 60,000 square foot dining facility at a site between Mendelsohn Quad and Toll Drive. Site clearing has begun, and the project is scheduled for completion by Fall 2016. The new residence halls will bring the total campus housing inventory above 10,300 beds. The new facility will be suite style, single room design, with hopes of gaining LEED Certification.

http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/res/news/tolldrive.shtml

The dining portion of the project will replace nearly all food service venues currently located in the Stony Brook Union, allowing for the conversion of the Union to a dedicated Student Services Center.

http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/news/general/2014-08-01-sbu-residence-hall.php

It should be six stories, costing around $34M, $50M, or $90M depending on which estimate you read.  A lot more photos here: http://www.ksqarchitects.com/multifamilyHousing_project.php?pID=36&sID=4

They stated in a survey that this approach would create courtyards between the wings of the residence halls, enhancing the neighborhood character of this area on campus.

http://www.sbindependent.org/will-the-new-residence-hall-preserve-the-view-of-wang-center/

I read somewhere the the U is leasing beds from Dowling College, which, with LI traffic, is not close.

It looks like the Union is being renovated ($60M) from Summer '16 - Summer '18: http://sbstatesman.com/2014/02/18/campus-construction-projects-continue-to-develop-mp-am-bd/

Thats gonna look pretty darn awesomee! Impressive!

I guess at this point it would be odd to build in a traditional style. It might be too late. especially with the Brutalist SB Union and the modern asian-american Wang center across the streets. It wouldn't fit too well even though I agree that the traditional style looks so much better!

...which is exactly what cornell looks like. 

New Stony Brook Union! Very happy