“We took trash and turned it into treasure” – A New CUNY and City Government Project Plans to Demolish Brookdale Campus

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a new plan on Thursday to build a $1.6 billion academic and public health center on a several-acre site in Kips Bay – the Brookdale campus.

The new park and life sciences research facility will be Mayor Adams’ largest economic development project thus far, according to Politico. The Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) is intended to be a space for CUNY students pursuing health, science and education careers. Adams will use over 1.5 million square feet of the campus to turn it into a state-of-the-art science center, and is expected to generate $25 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years and create 10,000 jobs.

The hub will include an ambulatory center, simulation training center for CUNY nursing students, a forensic pathology facility and a new Department of Education (DOE) high school that specializes in health care and sciences. In addition, a pedestrian bridge will be rebuilt on East 25th street, connecting the East River and Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. However, this project means that the Brookdale campus will be demolished and no longer be able to offer housing for 650 Hunter students. 

The news immediately caused a wave of backlash and concern across the Hunter College community, especially among those who dorm at Hunter, as Brookdale is currently the lowest priced housing available for students.

“Hearing the news has brought me great sadness. I had some of my first college memories there and found solace there when my own home was not an ideal environment for success, and I didn’t have the funds to afford living elsewhere in NYC,” said Aysha Khan, a current Brookdale residence assistant.

“It’s disheartening but not surprising that the success of the economy and the glamorization of the area have been more important than the students who made everything possible.”

The CUNY Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m. inside the CUNY Graduate Center’s Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall, where city residents and CUNY students are welcome to attend and voice their concerns about the project. Currently, there is no mention of how the new plan will accommodate students who are currently living in the Brookdale dorms. According to CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, the dorms are expected to remain open until 2024, as construction is set to start in 2026 and end in 2031.

“We took trash and turned it into treasure,” Mayor Adams said.

“We’re going to have everything from labs, office spaces, classrooms, business incubators, all the pieces we need, as well as open space for the neighborhood. This is going to revitalize the entire area.”

A conceptual rendering of the SPARC facility. Photo courtesy of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Hunter’s Undergraduate Student Government released a statement on their Instagram page on Friday, Oct. 14.

“Even though Brookdale dorms are a part of Hunter College, this is a CUNY-wide issue and concern to tackle,” they wrote.

“Hunter USG urges all CUNY campuses, all student governments, University Student Senate, and CUNY staff to recognize the necessity of Brookdale, and advocate on behalf of and alongside Hunter College students. We need this unity and support, more than ever.”