Noted for its red-brick Georgian architecture, the tranquil beauty of the Brooklyn College campus is unique among most urban institutions of higher learning. The campus, built in the 1930's, is about to undergo a series of major technological and structural renovations. These important improvements are part of the Brooklyn College Master Plan which will not only position the school for the 21st century, but will compliment the rural beauty of the campus as envisioned by the school's founders.

     One major renovation, the West Quad Project, calls for the complete demolition of the Plaza Building (including the Bedford overpass). The decision to demolish the Plaza Building was made after a careful review of the facility and the costs required to renovate it. Inefficient use of space, poor ventilation, and significant maintenance costs all contribute to the Plaza Building's inability to effectively fulfill the College's current needs. Consultants to the school determined that in the long run, building a new facility would be more cost effective than renovating the existing structure. Once Plaza is demolished, an exciting new West Quad will be constructed in its place. In keeping with the academic styling of the existing campus, the new grounds will feature a beautifully landscaped quadrangle with trees and grassy areas ideal for campus events, student activities, or just relaxing on a Spring day. New facades will be constructed on the Roosevelt and James buildings where they currently connect to the existing Plaza Building. New entrances will also be created on both buildings making them easily accessible from the newly designed West Quad.

     In addition to the attractive grounds, a new building will be constructed between the end of the West Quad and the existing athletic field. Although 50,000 gross square feet smaller than the existing Plaza Building, through efficient planning and design the new West Quad building will yield nearly the same amount of usable square footage. The facility will provide classroom space and house offices such as Admissions, Recruitment, Financial Aid, Food Services, and Grounds and Custodial Support. In addition, the West Quad building will be the new home for the Department of Physical Education & Exercise Science and will provide state-of-the-art facilities consistent with the College's mission to provide Division 3 sports instruction and competition. The proposed building will feature a range of improved indoor sports facilities including several new gymnasiums, a swimming pool, and an indoor track. In keeping with Brooklyn College's commitment to universal accessibility, the West Quad building will be in full compliance with guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

     $76.3 million in funds has been allocated in the New York State budget for the West Quad project. Planners estimate that the cost of the construction will be offset in less than twenty years by the increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption of the new building as well as the elimination of costly infrastructure repairs required in the decaying Plaza facility. The new West Quad promises to be a welcome additional to the Brooklyn College campus and is just one of many bold steps being taken to ensure the College's position as a leader in academic excellence. "We are proud that the New York State legislature and Governor George Pataki support the needs of students as we enter a new century," said President Vernon E. Lattin. "Our master plan enables us to use our extraordinary complex to its best advantage, and this important financial support permits the college to achieve its commitment of creating a technologically advanced campus that embraces the classic lines of our historically important buildings."