United Group to Purchase Land, Develop Student Housing Near College

January 26, 2016

At its January 26 meeting, Hudson Valley Community College's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection of The United Group of Companies, Inc. to purchase land from the college and create privately-owned and operated student housing. Construction at the 41-acre site at the corner of Morrison and Vandenburgh avenues is expected to be complete by June 1, 2017.

Construction will take place at the site of the former Hy Rosenblum Administration Center which once housed administrative offices, as well as the college's day care center and Paramedic program. The building has been vacant for more than five years. Hudson Valley purchased the property in the 1980s.

Plans call for the development of a four-story residence with 72 fully-furnished apartments offering both four- and two-bedroom models totaling 268 beds. Each apartment will include a living room, dining area and full kitchen. The building's three wings will form an interior patio for recreational use, and on-site amenities include 24-hour security, a fitness center, great room, laundry, bike storage, cable and Internet as well as on-site management offices. More than 200 parking spaces adjacent to the building will be available to residents. 

The company plans to work with LeChase Construction Services based in Rochester and Architecture+ located in Troy.

"Hundreds of students relocate to the region each year, drawn by the college's career-oriented academic programs and transfer opportunities. Even greater numbers are asking for housing options when considering college. As we expand our recruitment activities around New York State and travel abroad to boost international student enrollment, we're looking forward to having a new opportunity for living and learning near campus," said Drew Matonak, president of Hudson Valley Community College. 

Headquartered in Troy, the United Group specializes in developing and managing student apartment communities. The company has partnered with five SUNY community colleges as well as numerous Capital Region institutions, including Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany Medical College, The College of Saint Rose, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Sage Colleges, Schenectady County Community College and University at Albany.

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Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.