UB Breaks Ground For Housing Complex

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo last week broke ground for South Lake Village, the third residential complex for UB students to be built in recent years as part of a long-term plan to provide housing for students and improve their quality of life.

The second apartment-style housing complex to be located on the North (Amherst) Campus -- Hadley Village will be ready for occupancy later this month -- South Lake Village will be built on the south shore of Lake LaSalle. The site is considered to be one of the campus's most scenic spots.

The first phase of the university's housing plan was completed in Fall 1998 with the opening of Flickinger Court, townhouses for 230 graduate and professional students located at Chestnut Ridge and Sweet Home roads adjacent to the North Campus.

UB's residential housing plan also includes the future conversion of Clement Hall into apartment-style housing and the renovation of Goodyear Hall, both residence halls on the South (Main Street) Campus.

The South Lake Village project, scheduled to open in August 2000 at an estimated cost of $24 million, is being sponsored by the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. and UB Alumni Association.

The public land on the North Campus was made available for private housing development due to a clause in state education law that allows SUNY trustees to work with alumni associations to develop housing on SUNY campuses.

"This project could not have happened without the strong leadership and support of the UB Foundation and UB Alumni Association," said Dennis Black, UB vice president for student affairs. "They are helping us continue our commitment to bring more housing opportunities to students and to provide them with a variety of living-accommodation options not commonly found on other campuses."

The 550-bed project will feature nine two-story lakefront cottages and seven three-story buildings near the center of the site. The cottages will include studio, one- and two-bedroom units, with the three-story buildings containing four-bedroom units.

All units will have living areas, kitchens, telephone lines and hook-ups for cable television and campus computer-network connections. A community center will be constructed on the lakefront, in addition to a bike/walk path that will follow the lake to the UB Commons.

"The village is the first university project to take full advantage of our lakefront," added Black. "The waterfront and bike path will be accessible from all the units and the community center will overlook the lake with an outstanding view of Baird Point."

South Lake Village, designed by Foit-Albert Associates of Buffalo, will be constructed by the ADF Construction Corporation of Amherst. The Properties Committee of the UB Foundation worked with UB administration representatives and the Alumni Association to select the design team and contractor.