The Plaza at Hunter College’s West Building is a key feature of the East 68th Street Campus. Not only does it serve as the primary entry point for the campus, but it also serves as a central gathering space for the local community. The Plaza is located at a highly visible and heavily-traffi cked intersection at Lexington Avenue, which connects the monumental 68th Street MTA Subway Station entrance and two major MTA bus stops.

Despite its significance, the Plaza has needed major upgrades and repairs. Decades of use have caused deterioration of the paving and waterproofing and resulted in water infiltration into the basement-level spaces beneath the Plaza, affecting the Plaza’s functionality and aesthetics and posing safety hazards and long-term maintenance issues.

The $3.6 million project will include the installation of new, large-scale granite paving and lighting and improve wheelchair accessibility into the West Building. The redesign also addresses critical maintenance issues through a high-performance waterproofing assembly to prevent water infiltration and deterioration. The redesigned subway entrance will become a visual landmark for the campus and the surrounding area, providing an urban-scaled and functional entry point for students, faculty, and the community.

The project is in construction, and completion is scheduled for Summer 2023. The client is DASNY, acting as an agent for the City University of New York. The redesign of the Plaza will not only enhance its functionality and aesthetics and improve accessibility and safety for the campus and surrounding area. The Plaza will be a focal point and serve as an inviting and welcoming gathering space.