As of mid-March, Baruch’s students, faculty, and staff—as well as the College’s neighbors—have been enjoying the beauty and added security of new lighting fixtures on Barbara Kent Plaza, in front of the Newman Vertical Campus.
Virtually none of Baruch’s infrastructure projects would be possible without partnerships with government entities, and the lighting on 25th Street is no exception. City Council member Rosie Mendez led the effort to secure $500,000 in support toward the $642,000 required to fund the project, and the Hon. Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough president, provided $142,000.
So to thank the legislators and community partners who provided support and funding, the College hosted a “Turn On the Lights Ceremony” on Mar. 19.
Offering remarks after the oohs and ahs accompanying the official lighting were Baruch President Mitchel Wallerstein; Councilmember Mendez; Kristin Ellis, community liaison from the Office of Manhattan Borough President Stringer; Mark Thompson, chairman of Community Board 6; and Antonio Alfonso, Baruch’s Undergraduate Student Government president.
Community Board 6 and the 23rd Street Association were well represented at the event. The 23rd Street Association was specially thanked for continuing to grow and develop the neighborhood since the association’s incorporation in 1929, coincidentally the same year Baruch College (aka City College Downtown) became part of the neighborhood.
—Diane Harrigan