Queens CUNY facilities receive millions in city funding

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Borough President Donovan Richards announced $4.5 million for CUNY upgrades. Photo via Donovan Richards

Borough President Donovan Richards announced $4.5 million for CUNY upgrades. Photo via Donovan Richards

By Rachel Vick

Queens’ public colleges received good news to the tune of millions of dollars for campus upgrades Tuesday.

Together, Queens College, York College, Queensborough Community College and Laguardia Community College will receive $4.5 million for upgrades.

“We needed to ensure we weren’t just building back but building queens back better,” Richards said Monday. “There's a lot of conversation about getting back to normal but...we need a new normal.”

“There are a lot of big needs across this borough but we want to make sure the CUNY institutions know we are committed to you as well,” he added. “If CUNY is to continue to fulfill its mission, it will need funding to support capital improvements it needs to serve its hard working and diverse student body both now and in the future.”

LaGuardia Community College was allocated $1.25 million toward the construction of Science and Occupational & Physical Therapy labs.Queensborough Community College received $750,00 for a new chemistry lab and an additional $250,00 towards new ADA-compliant bathrooms.

QCC serves more students with disabilities than any other CUNY, Richards said.

York College was allocated $1 million for a new outdoor track, which will be open to students and community members, and $1.25 million toward the renovation of the Food Science and Management Lab at Queens College.

Queens College Student Association President Zaire Couloute said that the funding is an “investment in the quality of our lives.”

“Sending a clear signal that CUNY colleges are tied to the future of our borough… setting a clear standard for the city to follow,” she added.

CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos-Rodrigez applauded the decision to fund the project, citing versatile benefits for the greater community, including creating jobs and facilitating access for students.

“There's no dollar that you're going to put in as borough president that is going to give more [than funding for CUNY],” Matos-Rodriguez said. “There are no facilities that take as much of a beating as those in the City University of New York. They serve the purpose of that campus but they give so much more.”