NOW: Gleaming new Fiterman Hall. (Gabriella Bass)
(
)
The Borough of Manhattan Community College’s new 17-story Fiterman Hall will open for classes next month — more than a decade after the old building was destroyed on 9/11.
Construction of the $325 million, red-brick and glass building was delayed for years by the red tape and infighting that plagued the rebuilding of the World Trade Center area, according to school officials.
It took eight years just to demolish the old building — which was damaged by the collapse of 7 World Trade Center — and an additional three years to build the replacement.
“It was rough on us, but we’re back,” said BMCC President Antonio Perez.
“Our students have been in classrooms in trailers right on the West Side Highway, which I thought was unconscionable,” he added. “But now, with this new facility, it will allow our students to study and learn in comfort.”
Among the amenities are a public cafe and art gallery on the first floor, conference rooms on the upper floors and double-height art and music rooms that let in plenty of natural light.
The building will also house 30 computer labs and 84 classrooms, plus sound-proof rehearsal rooms for musicians.