NEW PALTZ – The Park Point housing project, predominantly for SUNY New Paltz students, but also for faculty and staff, is working its way through the approval process with the hope that ground could be broken in June of next year and opened in August 2014.

The site, on 42 acres of land adjacent to the college and acquired by an affiliate of the College Foundation, would help the school meet its housing goals, said College President Donald Christian.

“Our interest in here is in building the sort of high quality, high value residential sort of property, housing for our students, so that they can benefit from what we pride ourselves in New Paltz, which is providing a residential college experience,” Christian said. “If you can’t house the students on or near campus, they suffer in that experience.”

Right now, the apartment vacancy rate is very low in the Village of New Paltz, making the need for more housing necessary, Christian said.

The total $35 million project is more than just one facility for student housing, but includes many residential buildings and other facilities.