In Focus: Real Estate Operations Takes Center Stage at Downstate

By Office of the President | Apr 16, 2024

The recent opening of the new Downstate Health Family Medicine clinic at 253 Empire Boulevard underscores the pivotal contributions of the Real Estate Operations (REO) department at SUNY Downstate.

Leaning on a team of numerous collaborators, REO’s expertise in architecture, construction, and real estate proved instrumental in ensuring the project’s successful completion. From design coordination with the landlord’s architect to orchestrating the timely submission of contract documents to the NYC Department of Buildings for permitting, to overseeing all construction phases for Department of Health Certificate of Need submissions, with scrutinizing and approving architectural and construction contract documents, to closely supervising construction progress and logistics, procurement, installation of medical equipment, medical and staff office furnishings, and all signage, REO’s multifaceted skill sets were indispensable throughout this undertaking.

REO also worked closely with the IT department, including telephone, network infrastructure, desktop, and security, to ensure that the complex communication systems were integrated with the campus and flawlessly delivered.

The Real Estate Operations office is led by Assistant Vice President Lee D. Rose, an architect who, prior to this—his second round here at Downstate—worked with Empire Health, overseeing all of their medical space development and construction throughout New York City and Long Island as well as managing a portfolio of 13 buildings.

He is also joined by Carlos N. Valdez, Jr., Project Manager, who holds a Master’s in Facilities Management and is proficient in architecture and institutional projects in New York City. In daily operations, Lee and Carlos are joined by Staff Assistant Marcia Scott, who has over two decades of experience in Downstate.

In addition to acquiring off-campus real estate portfolios like 354 Clarkson Avenue, REO has overseen the preparation and execution of State leases for properties at 271 Lenox Road, 750 New York Avenue, and 253 Empire Boulevard. They are actively engaged in the development of numerous large-scale projects for Downstate.

I extend my appreciation to the Real Estate Office and the team who led this project and continue to lead others. We look forward to celebrating other projects that are imminent and soon to be completed.