DASNY President Robert J. Rodriguez joins SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler to survey campus housing construction
DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez and SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler yesterday toured construction sites of campus residence halls to view work managed by DASNY that is both completed and in process, and to discuss student housing needs and current trends in residential facilities.
DASNY, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, is currently managing the fifth in a series of five major student residence hall renovations at SUNY New Paltz. The tour included Awosting Hall, which completed construction in January, as well as Mohonk Hall, where construction began earlier this year.
“The residential facilities resulting from the collaboration between DASNY and SUNY are integral to students’ educational and social experiences during critical years of their lives,” said DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez. “I value the partnership with President Wheeler and look forward to working closely with presidents throughout the SUNY system to ensure DASNY provides the best options possible for students.”
President Rodriguez, who assumed the role in May, noted that the $42 million renovation project for Awosting Hall, completed in January 2024, added approximately 16,000 square feet of student living space through a newly constructed, steel-framed fourth floor. DASNY oversaw a full gut renovation of the 56-year-old residence hall, named for nearby Lake Awosting, to create an integrated living and learning environment with contemporary features. All student rooms were reconfigured to provide suite-style housing.
“High-quality residential spaces designed for today’s college student are so critical to overall student success,” said SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler. “The complete renovation of Awosting Hall delivers on this goal, as does the ongoing renovation of Mohonk Hall. I am grateful for our DASNY project partners, our outside design and construction firms, and my campus colleagues whose dedication and hard work on these projects and for our students will support our students’ well-being.”
DASNY has contracted with Consigli Construction, utilizing the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method.
“Consigli is committed to work that goes beyond construction and prioritizes projects that will support communities grow and succeed for many years to come,” said Jason Salyer, Project Executive at Consigli Construction. “Awosting and Mohonk Halls will deliver new, energy-efficient living spaces for the students who call this campus home, and we are grateful for the continued collaboration and partnership with the SUNY New Paltz and DASNY teams on these essential projects.”
The tour included a survey of the current construction taking place at Mohonk Hall. The $49.3 million gut renovation project is similar to that of Awosting Hall, as it will add significant student living space through a newly constructed fourth floor. The project will integrate living and learning environments and provide suite-style housing. Named after nearby Lake Mohonk, the building was originally constructed in 1968. Once the updates to the residence hall are complete, both Awosting and Mohonk Halls are expected to achieve LEED-Silver certification standards under the U.S. Green Building Council’s sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines.
The Mohonk project is expected to create approximately 160 construction jobs.
Also joining the tour were Michele Halstead, Vice President for Administration and Finance at SUNY New Paltz, and Megan Smailer, Director of Facilities Design & Construction at SUNY New Paltz, as well as key members of the Consigli Construction Management and DASNY Project Management teams.
Click here for a full gallery of photos from the DASNY visit.