Building Upon Successes 

Just over two years ago, Gerrard P. Bushell accepted Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s challenge to lead DASNY. Over that time, Dr. Bushell has changed the direction of DASNY, using a renewed focus on clients as a springboard.

“We are providing them with a wider array of solutions, from broadening the use of hybrid financing structures that combine tax-exempt and taxable bonds, to delivering projects with design-build and other alternative methods,” Dr. Bushell said. “I am now also positioning DASNY to be a leader to support institutions in the two main industries we serve – health care and higher education – as they go through significant changes.”

These efforts are producing clear results. DASNY has led the market and in each of the last two years has been recognized by The Bond Buyer and Reuters as one of the nation’s top municipal bond issuers. In Fiscal 2016, DASNY broke a financing record with approximately $8.3 billion and in Fiscal 2017, DASNY issued $829 million on behalf of New York University, the largest private client deal in DASNY’s history.

DASNY is also playing a central role in a rising scientific research corridor. DASNY financed and built CUNY’s approximately $700 million Advanced Science Research Center and issued $50 million in green bonds to support Columbia University’s Jerome L. Greene Science Center. A $321.8 million portion of NYU’s historic issuance is supporting the university’s integrated technology, urban studies and arts program facility at 370 Jay Street in Brooklyn.

DASNY’s success has been built on change.

You can read more about the changes DASNY has implemented here.

This year, Monroe Community College (MCC) is putting its own innovative stamp on the region, with its $78 million, 255,000-square-foot Downtown Campus on State Street. When the Downtown Campus opens its doors for the Fall 2017 semester, MCC will greatly expand its ability to provide the education and training for jobs that will further fuel the region’s resurging economy.

“When students come to our new Downtown Campus, we want them to think, ‘This is my home; this is where I want to learn; this is where I want to complete my degree,'” said Monroe Community College President Anne M. Kress. “This new facility will help us prepare students for 21st-century careers, strengthen MCC’s connection to Rochester, and grow our regional economy.”

Since establishing a temporary campus in 1992, MCC has searched for a permanent downtown location that the college can own and build upon, and that the community can call home. MCC’s Downtown Campus, spread across seven floors, fulfills the college’s vision, giving students a campus that reflects their dreams and aspirations.

To help fulfill the dream, MCC turned to DASNY to assist with interior design, and purchasing furniture and equipment.

“DASNY unburdened our staff by managing every aspect of procurement including budget development and the integration of MWBE inclusion at every step along the way,” said Blaine Grindle, Monroe Community College’s Facilities Director. “DASNY went above and beyond to make certain our vision becomes a reality.”

DASNY completed the project about $1 million under budget with an MWBE participation rate of above 50 percent. 

During his visit to Western New York in June, DASNY President & CEO Gerrard P. Bushell had the chance to tour the campus where work is finishing up in time for the start of the Fall 2017 semester.

“Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus is an incredible achievement,” Dr. Bushell said. “DASNY is proud to have helped MCC fulfill its vision and help create a welcoming environment in which students can make the most of the opportunities they have here.”

You can read more about the new MCC campus here. 

Three DASNY projects were big winners in May, recipients of “Excelsior Awards for Public Architecture.”
They are:

1) “New Construction” - John Jay College (CUNY)
This new 650,000 square-foot facility was built adjacent to, and connects with, John Jay’s existing Haaren Hall building, creating a unified college campus on one city block. The multi-functional building contains: classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, special-use spaces, exhibit and performance spaces, faculty offices, the college resource center and student/faculty lounges, as well as an elevated landscaped plaza which is located on the roof of the low-rise portion of the structure. Total funding for the project is valued over $587 million.

2) “New Construction” - Boston Road Supportive Housing (Homeless Housing Assistance Program)
Boston Road provides 154 affordable housing units plus on-site case management, medical care, and educational workshops for low-income and formerly homeless individuals. The total cost of this project is valued at approximately $49 million.

3) “Historic Preservation” - Evergreen Lofts Apartments (HHAP)
Evergreen Lofts is located in the Pratt-Willard neighborhood in Buffalo. The historic, five-story brick warehouse was converted into a 56-unit, low-income housing complex for the homeless and chronically ill at a cost of $16.5 million.

The awards are given out annually by the American Institute of Architects and they honor excellence in practice and advocacy of design in New York State public architecture.

You can view photos of each of the projects here.

LEED Silver for Bronx Behavioral Health Campus

The NYS Office of Mental Health’s Bronx Behavioral Health Campus has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver status under guidelines developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The campus’s efficient construction will provide an estimated 21 percent energy savings, which is a $300,000 annual savings.

DASNY President and CEO Gerrard P. Bushell said, "DASNY is proud to have partnered with the Office of Mental Health in driving construction in New York toward the more resilient and sustainable future Governor Cuomo envisions."

The new campus will provide comfort, security and the tools its inhabitants need to help them recover and restart their lives.

Read Bronx Behavioral Health Campus: A Vision of Hope
Visit a full list of DASNY’s LEED Certified projects