NEW YORK - The Empire State Development Corporation Board Thursday adopted the Columbia University General Project Plan and authorized a public hearing for the university’s proposed expansion. 

The $6.28 billion project, which is to be funded entirely by the university, will add up to 6.8 million square feet of new, state-of-the-art facilities in up to 16 new buildings and in an adaptively reused existing building.  The additional space will be used primarily for graduate-level teaching facilities, academic research, housing and recreation, and open active ground floor uses.  The proposal also calls for the development of open spaces accessible to the general public, including widened sidewalks, mid-block open spaces, a large square and smaller open spaces.

Columbia University is New York City’s seventh-largest private employer, with approximately 14,000 employees, over two-thirds of whom live in New York City.  The project is expected to add 14,000 construction jobs and 6,000 new university jobs. 

“This project underscores Columbia’s commitment to its neighbors by providing benefits to many segments of the local community: partnering with local secondary schools to enhance math and science curricula; providing scholarships for local residents, medical facilities for school-age children and funds for development; and by setting a 40 percent goal of minority and women labor.  Columbia, my alma matter, continues to be a vital part of this city and State,” said Governor David Paterson.