Published: May 4, 2011

Maroon and white balloons and multiple boards that displayed photos of past Fordham law school buildings were just a few of the attributes that lined Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s Robert Moses Plaza on May 2. That afternoon, Fordham University held a ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new School of Law and Residence Hall building.

Among the attendees were Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, all of whom sat center stage.

Guests applauded as Bloomberg shared his feelings about the new construction at Lincoln Center. “Today’s groundbreaking truly is a major milestone for Fordham and also for this city,” he said.

He continued by stressing the importance of New York City higher education, as America’s biggest college town. “We cannot sit back and rest in our laurels because we really are in the midst of a global competition for the best and the brightest and if we want New York City to remain a center of innovation and industry, then we’ve got to keep growing our educational institutions, keep investing in our quality of life and keep great talented minds here in this city and give new ones reasons to come here, and study here.”

Space was limited on the plaza and the ceremony was exclusively for students, faculty, alumni and administration. Tickets needed to be reserved a week prior to the event.

Although the groundbreaking ceremony happened in May, Vera Bullock, vice president for external affairs at Fordham Law School, said, “We actually started on Jan. 3, but at that point the beginning of the excavation can be very messy.”

“What we decided to do is to choose a time when there would actually be something to look at and also we decided to do it at a time when it would be nicer weather, so people could be outside, celebrate and come together as a community,” she said.

For the purpose of the ceremony, wooden panels that featured digitally made architectural images of what the new building and entire Lincoln Center campus will look like once the project is completed blocked the actual construction site.

The project, which is expected for completion in 2014, will feature a 22-story building with 10 floors dedicated to the law school’s facilities, and the remaining 12 floors as a residential tower for up to 430 undergraduate students.

According to Fordham’s website, “Designed by the renowned architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the facility is the first in the University’s comprehensive development plan for the Lincoln Center campus.”

John N. Tognino, Fordham chairman for the university’s board of trustees, spoke on behalf of this building project. “The new building is Fordham’s grand overture for the transformation of our Lincoln Center campus,” he said, “By 2032, the building will be joined by new homes for the graduates schools of education, social service and business administration.”

McShane also said, “Fordham’s development plan will mean that we can offer a more comprehensive education to more students.”

However, the development plan titled “Excelsior | Ever Upward | The Campaign for Fordham,” did take great effort for its approval.  In 2009 a lawsuit against the development plan at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) was filed by its neighbor, the Alfred Condominium.  The case was dismissed shortly after changes in the original developmental plan were made to better accommodate Fordham’s Lincoln Center neighbors.

Of those in attendance, it was the Fordham alumni that were highlighted for their various contributions in making the new building happen.  “In just two short years, thanks to the support of many generous friends and alumni, the university has raised $408 million towards its $500 million goal,” McShane said.

The event’s honorable speakers weren’t the only ones that appeared hopeful about Fordham’s newest addition. FCLC students who attended share their experience.

Amy Shen, FCLC ’12, said, “Being in a city, we don’t really have much space  but the fact that Fordham still wants to expand our campus is a good thing for the school’s reputation.”

Another student shared similar thoughts. “I think it’s a very positive thing for the university because the class size is increasing every year,” Caitlin Foye, FCLC ’11, said.

As parting gifts for those that attended, Fordham provided construction hard hats bearing Fordham’s crest and white umbrellas with the date of the ceremony printed on them.

The ceremony concluded when all those seated on stage stepped beyond the walls guarding the construction site to turn the soil, shovels in hand.

After the ceremony all guests were invited to a complimentary cocktail hour in the David Rubenstein Atrium, followed by dinner in Avery Fisher Hall’s Grand Promenade.