???While additional housing is a vital part of the University at Buffalo's ambitious UB 2020 plan to increase enrollment, how the university plans on housing an additional 11,000 students over the next 11 years remains a critical issue.
???In anticipation of the extra students, university officials have come up with a plan to construct a new set of dormitories just outside of the Fargo Quadrangle while postponing plans to close several South Campus buildings.
???The new housing facility, which will be named South Ellicott, will hold about 600 students within three buildings. It will also include several state-of-the-art features.
???"[South Ellicott will be] all suite-style living," said Director of University Residence Halls & Apartments Joe Krakowiak. "It will be the first air-conditioned residence hall on the campus...there will be teaching hubs and student hubs. The building will be incredibly savvy from an electronic point of view and be a very green building."
???However, the ground breaking for this new student-housing building on North Campus has been delayed until August 2011 due to the current state budget crisis, according to Krakowiak.
???"The state fiscal situation is so concerning right now that the university needs to be more conscious of taking debt," Krakowiak said.
???Plans to eventually close the five quads on South Campus that currently house around 400 students have been scrapped due to the delay in construction. The closings were to come as a result of an ordinance from Gov. David Paterson calling for enhancements to be made to existing fire codes that would go in effect in June 2010.
???"We can assure you that anyone that could be living in the building would be up to the fire code," Krakowiak said.
???Meanwhile, plans for the lengthening and straightening of Lee Road across John James Audubon Road to the Ellicott Complex have not been scrapped as the money for the project has already been allocated.
???"There's a need to straighten out Lee Road to get it to the tunnel for buses and students," Krakowiak said. "It will allow more biking, walking and busing between Ellicott and the Academic Spine."
???The construction on Lee Road is scheduled to start around May 18 and take approximately a year to complete. The project will be done in parts, with the construction beginning on the section of Lee Road near White Road and The Commons.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
