From Trailers to Transformation: New Downstate Offices Open

By Office of the President | Sep 3, 2024

I am excited to announce the successful relocation of our Human Resources, SUNY Research Foundation (SUNY RF), and Payroll Offices to their new space at 271 Lenox Road. This move is the culmination of a project that began several years ago, overcoming numerous challenges and delays, including the pandemic, and resulting in a state-of-the-art facility that will significantly benefit staff in those offices and the entire Downstate community.

For many years before 2020, the Human Resources, Payroll, and SUNY RF offices operated out of trailers on East 35th Street—an arrangement far from ideal. In 2020, we temporarily relocated these offices to the basement of the Health Science Education Building while securing and retrofitting a more suitable space. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted progress, causing significant delays.

Retrofitting resumed in January 2023 with continued starts and stops for various uncontrollable reasons. We want to ensure that the space created a modern and efficient workspace to meet our evolving needs. In June 2024, we began a phased move to ensure a seamless transition, allowing operations to continue without disruption. By July 1, all staff were fully settled into the new space, officially marking the opening of our offices at 271 Lenox Road.

I recently toured the new space, met with our staff, and personally thanked them for their patience during this arduous process. I was genuinely impressed with this new work environment, which will significantly enhance our ability to serve the Downstate community.

The new space is buzzing with activity, accommodating 65 staff members across 18 offices and 46 workstations. The Downstate Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP)—not initially housed in the trailers—has also moved into this new space as part of the RF. Shared spaces include two conference rooms and a spacious community break room perfect for collaboration and recharging.

This achievement was made possible by the exceptional efforts of Lee Rose, Downstate Real Estate Assistant Vice President and Carlos N. Valdez, Jr., Real Estate Project Manager. Their dedication to the project—from construction and financial oversight to coordinating with vendors and managing the intricate logistics of the move—ensured a smooth and successful transition.

I also want to recognize the vital contributions of other key teams, including the IT Department, Network, Telecom, Help Desk, and the Physical Security group. Together, their combined work resulted in a new and exciting workspace that reflects Downstate’s excellence.