SUNY Oswego president becomes chair of American Association of State Colleges

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OSWEGO, N.Y. — Deborah F. Stanley, president of SUNY Oswego, assumed the chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) board of

MVP Health Care to expand health-plan offerings in two CNY counties, six altogether

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Health has approved MVP Health Care’s request to offer Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and its Essential

People news: Citizens Bank executive named to Clarkson University board

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POTSDAM, N.Y. — Lauretta M. Chrys, executive VP and head of strategic onboarding for the Consumer Banking Division at Citizens Bank, has been elected to

Syracuse, Rome to host UTM Convention Tuesday through Thursday

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Syracuse and Rome are set to host the 2016 UTM convention, which has events scheduled Tuesday through Thursday. The Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at

Construction on Destiny USA hotel will continue during winter months

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SYRACUSE — Construction work on Destiny USA’s upcoming hotel will keep on rolling during the winter months, according to David Aitken, an executive with Destiny USA. The $48 million hotel is under construction in the lot at the intersection of Hiawatha Boulevard and Solar Street across from the shopping and entertainment complex. The construction work

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SYRACUSE — Construction work on Destiny USA’s upcoming hotel will keep on rolling during the winter months, according to David Aitken, an executive with Destiny USA.

The $48 million hotel is under construction in the lot at the intersection of Hiawatha Boulevard and Solar Street across from the shopping and entertainment complex.

The construction work started back in June, he says. The hotel is scheduled to open in the fall of 2017. Aitken spoke with CNYBJ on Oct. 31.

Destiny USA on Oct. 24 announced its upcoming hotel will operate under the Embassy Suites by Hilton brand. That same day, Destiny USA raised an Embassy Suites flag to mark the announcement.

Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., along with several local contractors, is handling the construction work.

The hotel project has created more than 200 construction jobs and will result in more than 70 permanent jobs when the hotel is completed.

When asked what prompted Destiny USA to pursue the hotel project, Aitken said the venue has been working to attract visitors, both individuals and in group tours, from “longer distances.”

“We want to give people the opportunity to take historically what might have been a couple-hour experience to a several-hour experience at Destiny, then give them the opportunity to spend the night, take advantage of some of the live entertainment, and then experience the other things in Central New York, which we all enjoy,” explains Aitken.

Destiny USA has had visitors in group tours from 16 different countries in 2016, he adds.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Syracuse – Destiny USA will serve as the “go-to property” for guests traveling to visit Destiny USA, the mall said in a news release. The hotel property will also feature an onsite restaurant and pool.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Embassy Suites and Hilton on this exciting venture, which further solidifies Destiny USA’s reputation as an international tourist destination,” Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, LLC, contended in the release.

A lending group led by M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), which also included Berkshire Bank (NYSE: BHLB) and Tompkins Trust Company (NYSE: TMP), financed the $48 million hotel project, Destiny USA said.

The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) also has approved a tax exemption for the hotel. OCIDA forged a PILOT agreement with Destiny that reportedly could save the company up to nearly $7 million in taxes over a 12-year period.

Upon completion of construction, Plano, Texas–based Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation’s second largest independent hotel-management firm, will operate the facility.

The hotel will feature all of the “signature” amenities offered at Embassy Suites. The Destiny USA release says they include free made-to-order breakfast each morning; a complimentary two-hour evening reception with drinks and snacks; and suites with a separate living area, formal sleeping area, and a bar fitted with a microwave and refrigerator.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

Byrne Dairy adds warehouse space at former New Venture Gear plant in DeWitt

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DeWITT — Byrne Dairy Inc. is increasing its dry storage and warehousing capacity at the former Magna Powertrain/New Venture Gear plant in the town of DeWitt. The company’s space now totals 100,000 square feet, up from 60,000 square feet of space. The OX Group LLC, through its subsidiary ONX1 LLC, on Oct. 19 announced that

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DeWITT — Byrne Dairy Inc. is increasing its dry storage and warehousing capacity at the former Magna Powertrain/New Venture Gear plant in the town of DeWitt.

The company’s space now totals 100,000 square feet, up from 60,000 square feet of space.

The OX Group LLC, through its subsidiary ONX1 LLC, on Oct. 19 announced that it modified its leasing agreement with Byrne Dairy to increase the space. ONX1 manages and operates the former manufacturing and parts-distribution facility.

The additional space will accommodate Byrne Dairy’s increased dairy-food production at its ultra-pasteurization processing plant located near the New Venture Gear Drive location, the OX Group said.

OX Group now refers to the facility as the NVG Industrial Campus, says Robert Trafford, managing partner of ONX1 LLC. He spoke to CNYBJ from Huntsville, Alabama on Oct. 31.

The expansion requires Byrne Dairy to relocate to another section of the facility to accommodate the additional square footage, OX Group said.

Byrne Dairy is moving from the structure’s southeast corner into the northwest section of the building, according to Trafford.

“We expect them to be in their space by Thanksgiving,” he adds.

Byrne Dairy’s move also “better locates them” for OX Group to work with the company for any future expansion purposes with more loading docks available.

“As we anticipate an increase in our production and distribution operations, this expansion will allow us to plan for future growth in New York State while remaining cost competitive in the dairy food market. We value our relationship with the team at ONX1 and appreciate the opportunities they are providing,” Dan Wood, VP of operations at Byrne Dairy, said in the OX Group release.

Byrne Dairy is currently one of six tenants with operations in the NVG Industrial Campus.

The other tenants include Orlando, Florida–based CHEP, which manufactures pallets and containers; Custom Assembly, a manufacturing assembly group for off-road, sport-utility vehicles; and Rome–based Birnie Bus Service, which is using about 10,000 square feet of space, according to Trafford.

“Byrne Dairy was the first one in the door [in February 2014] at 60,000 square feet and we’ve just transitioned them over to a 100,000-square-foot space … We kept the same economic terms,” says Trafford.

With the current six tenants, the NVG Industrial Campus is “roughly 20 percent occupied” and still has about 1.2 million square feet available for use.

Trafford says that occupancy rate should increase soon.

“We’re actively in negotiations with some deals that … should dramatically enhance that [occupancy-percentage] number over the next three or four months,” he says.

Federal Express also has operations on the east side of the NVG Industrial Campus, but it’s not a building tenant, says Trafford.

He had subdivided and sold what was formerly the property’s east parking lot to a Federal Express developer.

The company built a 157,000-square-foot building in that location, he adds.

OX Group ownership
ONX1 purchased the 1.7 million-square-foot New Venture Gear plant from Syracuse Properties in the fall of 2012.

At the time of the purchase, Magna International occupied the plant. Magna in 2004 had purchased the business from New Process Gear, a Chrysler Corporation-owned company, according to the OX Group news release.

OX Group is a Florida–based real-estate development and management company specializing in the “restoration and repurposing of high quality, high profile” facilities formerly used for industrial purposes.

OX Group has multiple sites across the country, including subsidiaries, ONX1 and ONX3, which owns and operates the NVG Industrial Campus in DeWitt and the Silver City Industrial Park located in Sherrill.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

Kohilo Wind buys former Welch Allyn building

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SKANEATELES FALLS — The 159,247-square-foot former Welch Allyn building, situated on about 59 acres and located at 4619 Jordan Road in Skaneateles Falls, was recently sold. Kohilo Wind LLC purchased the property in August, according to a news release from Cushman Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company, which helped the arrange the sale. Michael Kalet and George W.

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Pyramid Brokerage announces a pair of Watertown transactions

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WATERTOWN — Cushman Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company recently announced the closing of two real-estate transactions in Watertown that it helped to arrange. Stony Pyle 3, Inc. purchased the 16,328-square-foot, former FedEx terminal located on 2.9 acres at 22987 Route 51 in Watertown. Bradley Street LLC sold the property for $600,000. Christopher Clark from Cushman Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage

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Utica Zoo to use state funding for renovations required for accreditation

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UTICA — The Utica Zoo will use a state grant of $100,000 for renovations it needs for accreditation with the Silver Spring, Maryland–based Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo needs to renovate its primate building and housing for animals that are taken off the premises for educational purposes, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo

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UTICA — The Utica Zoo will use a state grant of $100,000 for renovations it needs for accreditation with the Silver Spring, Maryland–based Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The zoo needs to renovate its primate building and housing for animals that are taken off the premises for educational purposes, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo (R–Rome) said in a news release issued on Oct. 31.

Griffo secured the state funding for the Utica Zoo, his office said.

The Utica Zoo has been working toward accreditation since 2011, which will offer “better opportunities” for future funding grants, according to the release.

The accreditation will also provide the Utica Zoo with “guidance on best practices for protocols and procedures; enhance” staff recruitment and retention of employees who want to work for an accredited zoo; and allow the Utica Zoo to share in loaning animals from other zoos.

“I am pleased to have secured this funding so that the Utica Zoo can expand this important educational experience for our community and improve the Primate Building, while bringing the zoo one step closer to the esteemed accreditation it deserves,” Griffo said.

Griffo understands the “value” the Utica Zoo brings to our region, Andria Heath, executive director of the Utica Zoo, contended in the release.

“The zoo has a robust presence, recruits staff from here at home and throughout the nation, and contributes to our local economy as a tourist destination. The support that is provided to the zoo is intended to serve as a catalyst to multiply everything we have to offer, and we look forward to much continued success,” she said.

Primate building
The zoo will use $50,000 for improvements on the primate building, which houses spider monkeys, white-handed gibbons, golden lion tamarins, and tegu.

The facility also currently uses the building as winter homes for several animals that are “not able to withstand the harsh” Central New York winters, including striped hyena, ring-tailed lemurs, and Chinese alligators.

The renovation work will help make the exhibits “more natural, more visually appealing and more consistent with modern zoological practices,” the Utica Zoo said, noting that the primate building is nearly 90 years old.

Education Center
The Utica Zoo will use the remaining $50,000 to renovate the Sinnott wing of the facility’s Education Center, which is currently housing its education animals.

These animals are typically brought to places like local nursing homes and libraries, where people who may not be able to visit the zoo “can still familiarize themselves with wildlife,” Griffo’s office said.

The building is “barely large enough” to house the current education animals, which include several snakes and reptiles, a tarantula, a North American porcupine, and birds of prey like the barred owl and red-tailed hawk.

By improving the building, the Utica Zoo will then be able to expand its current collection to include more animals for people to meet and learn about, like an armadillo and a sloth.

The Utica Zoo contends a “wider variety” of animals available for outside visits will “encourage more groups to take advantage of the opportunity,” according to Griffo’s release.

The Utica Zoo also occasionally accepts local animals that have been “rehabilitated,” so “they can be showcased through the education program.”

By creating more housing space, the Utica Zoo won’t have to turn away these rehabilitated animals, some of which need a “more seasonal outside climate.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

SUNY Cortland’s DeGroat Hall formally reopens after $7 million renovation

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CORTLAND — SUNY Cortland announced that a completely renovated DeGroat Hall opened its doors with 146 beds for students this fall after a $7 million update. It was the first major overhaul for SUNY Cortland’s four-story, brick Georgian-style residential facility since it was built 65 years ago, the university said in a news release posted

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CORTLAND — SUNY Cortland announced that a completely renovated DeGroat Hall opened its doors with 146 beds for students this fall after a $7 million update.

It was the first major overhaul for SUNY Cortland’s four-story, brick Georgian-style residential facility since it was built 65 years ago, the university said in a news release posted on its website.

The renovation modernizes DeGroat Hall — named after Harry De Witt DeGroat, the Cortland Normal School’s third principal —while “maintaining distinct touches from the past.”

“From new floors and energy efficient lighting and heaters to bath, bed and laundry room upgrades, this work exemplifies the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s commitment to providing quality living environments for SUNY students,” Gerrard P. Bushell, president and CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, contended in the release.

Members of the SUNY Cortland campus community marked the completion of the major renovations with a grand-reopening ceremony and open house on Oct. 13.

The student residence was one of three companion buildings that were designed by Cortland architect Carl W. Clark and constructed in 1951 on Graham Avenue during the administration of president Donnal V. Smith, who served from 1943 to 1959.

DeGroat served from 1912 to 1943. During his tenure, he instituted many school traditions including its alma mater, the release stated.

The renovation
In December 2015, following the fall semester’s end, students moved out of DeGroat Hall and an “accelerated schedule of construction began,” according to Rob Shutts, SUNY Cortland’s director of facilities planning, design, and construction. Fahs Construction, of Binghamton, was the general contractor on the project and King + King Architects, of Syracuse, designed the revamped student residence. The goal was to open the building to house students for the fall 2016 semester, SUNY Cortland said, and it was met one month early.

“DeGroat had not received any appreciable improvement before the renovation,” Shutts said in the release. “It was one of the last residence halls to be updated as part of the campus master plan.”

With the completion of the partially renovated Casey and Smith Halls complex at the base of Neubig Road in the near future, every single dormitory-style residence on campus will have received major renovations in recent years, the college said.

DeGroat Hall has a new service elevator attached externally by glass corridors to the south side of the building. The improvement makes the second and third floors available to residents and guests with disabilities, in compliance with federal regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The contractor added kitchens to all of the DeGroat Hall lounges. Previously, it had been the only residence hall that had lacked them, according to the release.

The third-floor lounges contain features like padded window seats where students can “relax and read.” Throughout the building are modernized Georgian features that the original DeGroat Hall never had, including large decorative ceiling medallions, crown molding and wainscoting constructed to look like painted, hand-carved wood, the college said. The flooring is made of porcelain tile that “imitates white and silver marble, saving both on fiscal and natural resources.”

As with all other student residence halls renovated since 2005, DeGroat Hall contains many features that contribute to the campus goal of sustainability, such as energy efficient lighting, exterior-building envelope enhancements, and “numerous sustainable construction and design elements,” the release stated. The reconstruction project used wood from sustainable forests, low-volatile organic chemical (VOC) products, and materials containing recycled content.

Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com

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