The University at Albany is celebrating its new $180 million Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex at the Harriman State Office Campus.
SUNY officials, Albany lawmakers and students gathered in the new 246,000-square foot building Wednesday.
Among other programs, it will host the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity along with the New York State Mesonet, a weather network with 126 stations throughout the state increasingly measuring climate change.
Construction on the building began in 2018. SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras:
“This is nation leading. University at Albany is the only institution that has something like the Mesonet. This is huge for the University at Albany," he said.
Preston Paige is a dual major in CEHC and in Atmospheric Science and Emergency Preparedness. He says the new programs and building attracted him to UAlbany.
“Now looking back, I could not have imagined having the opportunity to stand here at the ribbon cutting ceremony, sharing all the wonderful opportunities that have been granted to me as a student and the new pathways that would open up thanks to this new and beautiful building," he said.