The Stevens Institute of Technology held two open houses last week for Hudson Street residents and the greater Hoboken community to see plans for a five-story, 95,000 square foot academic facility to be built on the corner of Hudson and Sixth Streets beginning next fall.

The buildings, if approved by the city Planning Board, would house several industry-specific laboratories and smart classrooms. It’s the first phase of a master plan designed to cope with a rapidly expanding student body while maintaining the school’s place at the forefront of technological institutes nationwide.

The buildings, called the Academic Gateway Complex, would be just that, in more ways than one. The building is designed as an avenue for students to experiment and research today’s most pressing areas of science and technology while simultaneously serving as a physical gateway to the Stevens campus.

The buildings would be situated on either side of Sixth Street (which would become a pedestrian walkway) and would be connected via a two-story walkway that bridges the street.

The complex is the first announced component for the school’s strategic master plan. The plan, which began in 2012 and is set to conclude in 2022, is aimed at propelling the university to the top rank of scientific institutes. But to keep company with schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Carnegie Mellon University, Stevens must invest in its future, said Provost George Korfiatis in an interview last week.

Competing to be the best

“Right now our entire student body is at about 5,000 students, but in the next seven or eight years we expect it to be at 9,000,” he said. “And our incoming freshman class scored an average 40 points higher on the SAT than last year’s class. We’re attracting the best and the brightest and we need to be able to provide the best possible facilities.”

The two open houses, which were designed to gauge community support for the project as well as open a dialogue about future Stevens development, were well-attended by residents and members of the Stevens community, said Beth McGrath, chief of staff to Nariman Farvardin, the university’s president.

_____________ “We’re attracting the best and the brightest and we need to be able to provide the best possible facilities.” – George Korfiatis____________

Plans for the project include an amenity for Hoboken residents, as well. Once Sixth Street is turned into a pedestrian walkway, it will eventually lead to a public patio area next to the school’s Babbio Center, which overlooks Sinatra Drive and the New York City skyline. The patio would be built on top of a parking garage which would expand as part of the strategic plan’s second phase. The patio would be open to the public.

“We’re very proud of this project and we’re very proud to be a partner with Hoboken,” said McGrath, echoing statements made by Farvardin since he took over as president in 2011. “We’re trying to partner with the city in a substantial way and we’re hoping that everyone in Hoboken will be as excited about this project as we are.”

For more information on the Academic Gateway Complex, visit www.stevens.edu/gateway or email gateway@stevens.edu.

This project looks like it will not only upgrade Stevens but also the neighborhood surrounding it. These new buildings will look a lot better on the outside while providing a state-of-the-art education on the inside. The patio area can be used by all residents, much like the riverfront walkway that Stevens also contributed to for the benefit of the whole town. Together, this project is a step forward and win-win for both Stevens and Hoboken.

Looks like a fantastic addition to the neighborhood and the city. Providing the pedestrian plaza and patio will be great for the local residents. Stevens appears to have stepped up its game with its current administration. Looking forward to more great things from them.

This is a great project for Stevens and the greater Hoboken community. Stevens and Hoboken have been linked since 1870 and this project will help to continue that strong bond and build upon future success.

As a Stevens student I am excited about the opportunities this plans gives to the community and its students. This plan further shows that Stevens wants to be connected to the city. Let us not forget that Stevens students are active citizens in town; we are patrons of many different bars and restaurants and we care about this city as it is our home for 4-5 years or even more. We spend our time and energy, when we're not studying, to volunteer and better the place we live.

This will be a great project. Stevens really represents both Hoboken's rich history and its future potential. The school consistently works with and for the Hoboken community and I'd like to see them build even greater success for the area and the state.

Certainly something we'll all be benefiting from here in Hoboken. Improving accessibility to the waterfront and land value for the entire community with a more prestigious institute, looking forward to the future.

As a Hoboken resident, I would love to be able to support a business that supports local Hoboken economy while having a rooftop patio to enjoy the New York skyline! I think Stevens is a pride point for this city and I am happy to support its growth. I love another commentators idea about a coffee shop!

There are few places in Hoboken with a birds eye view on NYC. More green space overlooking the Hudson is always a good thing. More green space overlooking the Hudson open to the public is even better. Throw in a coffee shop and you've got a hit!

An impressive set of buildings. Stevens is a university that brings Hoboken residents like myself a lot of pride, and it is exciting to hear that they are working on creating spaces for their students to continue to be on the cutting edge of scientific research and the creation of new technologies.

The public patio sounds amazing. Stevens exists on one of the best pieces of property on the planet, and looking out at the city from Castle Point provides one of the most majestic views I've ever experienced.