Officials from Iona College and the city of New Rochelle held a groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s new North Avenue Student Residence Hall last week.
The residence hall, at the corner of North and Summit avenues, will be across the street from the school’s main entrance on North Avenue. It is expected to be completed and unveiled in fall 2016.
According to a news release, it will feature taxable retail and restaurant space open to the public on its first floor. It will have adjacent on-site parking and hold up to 310 students in its upper six floors.
Those attending the ceremony included Iona College President Joseph E. Nyre; James P. Hynes, chairman of the college’s board of trustees; Trustee Andrew J. Dolce; and New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.
“Iona College is working hard to be a good neighbor to our good neighbors,” Nyre said. Â “This new residence hall is a groundbreaking development on North Avenue for both Iona College and the city of New Rochelle.”
The Mirage Diner, which the college bought in 2013, was demolished in February to make way for the residence hall.
Iona College also recently held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for three new science laboratories in Cornelia Hall.
“This is a positive step for both the college and the city that will improve North Avenue, enhance an emerging academic district and strengthen our partnership,” Bramson said.
Founded in 1940, Iona College is the second-largest private employer in New Rochelle.
