Iona College was recently awarded a $2.5 million grant from the state Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program Board to put toward its planned North Avenue residence hall, officials said.
The capital grant will go toward the construction of the hall that will house 310 students this fall. The HECAP program, established in 2005 by the state legislature and Gov. George Pataki, provides matching funding for the state’s independent colleges and universities.
Iona broke ground on the dorm last May after purchasing and demolishing the former Mirage Diner. The hall, which will feature taxable retail and restaurant space open to the public on its first floor as well as on-site parking, is expected to be completed and open to students before the coming fall semester. The North Avenue Residence Hall will be at the corner of North and Summit avenues across from the college’s main entrance.
Officials said 62 New York private colleges and universities applied for the grant funding, which was awarded to 29 recipients. Iona president Joseph E. Nyre said the funding was “great news for the college but even better news for the students we serve.”
“This grant helps us complete an important addition to campus, our second new residence hall in four years,” Nyre added.
