BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Less than two months ago, D'Youville University welcomed its first College of Osteopathic Medicine students.
Next August, D'Youville will hit another milestone with its fledgling medical school - a permanent home.
Work is well underway converting an office building at 285 Delaware Avenue into the new home of the university's medical school.
The nearly $30 million project is on pace to be completed by next spring, said Sean Najewski, Uniland Development Co. construction manager.
Once completed, D'Youville will begin prepping the building - which previously housed back office operations for M&T Bank - for the students and faculty.
'i can't believe how much has changed since the last time I was here," said Dr. Nick Camposo, D'Youville University dean for the medical school. "It's like a 180 degree turnaround."
The new location not only helps D'Youville in recruiting students and faculty, it will also be a boost for downtown Buffalo by adding a new influx of students.
"That is a plus," Camposo said.
Najewski said the building was stripped down to its bare bones and is now being rebuilt floor by floor.
The building has 120,000-square-foot.
D'Youville is leasing - from Uniland - the entire building save of Risa's Deli, which remains on the first floor.
The university is even leasing the basement where portions will be used for labs and other areas used for parking.
The first four floors will house offices, labs, classrooms, workshop space and lecture halls.
Plans are in flux and undetermined for the fifth floor.
D'Youville will be shifting the med school from its West Side campus to the Delaware Avenue building. That shift is necessary to consolidate all of the med school functions to one, central location, Camposo said.
"Logistically, having everything under one roof makes everything that much easier," Camposo said.
Next August, the building will house 180 med school students. By 2032, the school will have 720 students enrolled, Camposo said.
"Excitement is a bit of an under statement," Camposo said.
D'Youville's $30 million med school building taking shape
D'Youville's $30 million med school building taking shape
