City holds hearing to discuss SU’s proposal for Comstock, Waverly Ave. dormitories
The university started work on the project with the ongoing demolition of Marion and Kimmel Halls, and is set to tear down the Comstock Avenue parking garage in early 2025. Brycen Pace | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University’s two planned dormitories on Waverly and Comstock Avenues are set to include a new dining hall.
In a meeting of the Syracuse Common Council’s City Planning Commission Monday evening, Joe Alfieri shared details of SU’s plans for the new dorms. Alfieri, who is the university’s director of campus planning, design and construction, said the new dorms won’t impact the university’s enrollment or two-year housing requirement.
The project is currently underway with the ongoing demolition of Marion and Kimmel Halls. The university plans to demolish the Comstock Avenue parking garage in early 2025.
“The new facilities being presented tonight will replace functionally obsolete housing and provide a much-needed replacement for the Kimmel Dining Hall, and allow for a relocation of a significant portion of our sophomore class from South Campus to main campus,” Alfieri said.
Daniel Lee, the project’s architect and a principal at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson firm, said the proposed Waverly Residence Hall will house 720 students in 235 units, while the proposed Comstock Residence Hall will house 580 students in 195 units. The Waverly Residence Hall would be 11 stories at its highest point, while the Comstock Residence Hall would be 10 stories at its highest point.
The Waverly Residence Hall will also include a dining hall and proposed “teaching kitchens,” while the Comstock Residence Hall will include a MakerSpace, a hands-on learning space for students, and communal kitchens.
Alfieri said the university will use storage on South Campus for construction materials to avoid shutting down streets during the building process. SU is also working to provide busing to and from the project site. Alfieri said the university doesn’t anticipate blocking traffic lanes throughout construction, but will close nearby sidewalks.
He said the university has “thoroughly analyzed” the project to ensure it wouldn’t negatively impact the environment. At the meeting, the project passed the CPC’s Full Environmental Assessment Form and committee members didn’t raise any concerns.
Lee said SU designed the dormitories with consideration for nearby Walnut Park’s historic district. The designs include lowered building heights facing west to reduce visual blocks for the district.
Steve Kulick, the CPC’s chair, said the public comment period on the project will remain open and the committee will reassess the project at its April 15 meeting.
If the council approves SU’s plans, the residence halls will be the university’s first new dorms since Ernie Davis Hall opened in 2009.
