$60M SUNY Orange Campus
Capital Plan Progresses
MIDDLETOWN, NY—The Orange County Legislature unanimously approved earlier this month funding totaling $29.95 million to support overall design and completion of Phase 1 of a sweeping “SUNY Orange Facilities Master Plan” that will modernize and reshape the college’s Middletown and Newburgh campuses over the next 10 to 12 years.
The Legislature’s approval of a pair of resolutions paves the way for two critical next steps: it positions the college to secure $28.25 million in matching capital project funds from the State of New York, and it unlocks $1.7 million in county funding (also to be matched by New York State) for the master plan’s design phase.
Orange County’s commitment will fund half of the projected $59.9-million Phase 1 project, which was also unanimously supported by both the Legislature’s Education & Economic Development and Ways & Means committees as the proposal moved through the legislative process. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has also been a vocal and enthusiastic advocate of the college’s efforts to upgrade facilities and has recently promoted the three-phased plan that is projected to cost approximately $211.2 million.
Work planned for Phase I on the Middletown campus includes relocating the Computer Science and Technology Department from the Bio-Tech Building to Harriman Hall, while the Education and Criminal Justice departments will move from Bio-Tech to Hudson Hall. These moves will create expanded space for the nursing and dental hygiene programs within Bio-Tech, along with spurring initial renovations in Harriman Hall and Hudson Hall to support the relocations. Phase I will also create swing space necessary to assure work during the second and third phases does not disrupt academics or operations, SUNY Orange officials stated.
Strategic upgrades will also be completed in both Kaplan Hall and the Tower Building on the Newburgh campus, with the highlights including SUNY Orange Plus expansion in the Tower Building and improvements to the plaza/walkway connecting the two buildings.
Phase 1 is projected for a three-year timeline (2026 to 2029) with Phase 2 and Phase 3 targeted for approximately 2030-2032 and 2033-2035, respectively.
SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young noted that the master plan does not involve any new square footage at either campus. “Rather, our Facilities Master Plan will reshape both campuses by modernizing existing buildings, beautifying public spaces, and reallocating internal spaces to enrich the teaching and learning environment for our students, faculty and staff,” she said.
Published: April 21, 2026