SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – After a difficult winter and spring, construction on the Veterans Resource Center at Syracuse University has picked up at the corner of Marshall Street and South Crouse Avenue.
On Wednesday, crews installed the first glass panel on the facade of the steel structure. Construction is scheduled to finish in December 2019 with a grand opening set for sometime Spring 2020.
The future site for all things military service at Syracuse University, the building will house the University’s ROTC program, classes for Veteran students and host a number of other resources for active duty servicemen, women, and their families.
The 115,000 sq. feet structure will also be the home of the largest auditorium space on campus, capable of holding 750 seated individuals.
“Our aspiration is to be the best university public or private in America for veterans,” said SU Vice Chancellor Michael Haynie, “I think one of the powerful things that this facility will do is give them a unique sense of connection to the institution and home if you will.”
The building will also feature a grass roof meant to be used by the ROTC program.
For Veterans like Charlie Poag who worried about the transition from Marine life to a university campus, he says the center also accomplishes something that other institutions overlook; create an environment where Veterans know they are welcome.
“That’s going to be phenomenal to help pass along the knowledge and experience we all have to make sure that the next generation of veterans are even better prepared,” said Poag.
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