The new facilities mark the first phase of a capital improvement program with a price tag of well over $100 million. When the 10-year plan is complete, the State University of New York school will have added 300,000 of new space and renovate another 400,000 sf. The expansion will shore up a 258,000-sf shortfall at the nationally known fashion training ground.

"Construction of new buildings, along with expansion and renovation of existing facilities, will allow the college to continue to grow and respond to the needs of the college community and the industries it serves," says Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT. "Modernization of our existing facilities will continue to keep our students in the forefront, prepared for careers in the industry."

Phase I is starting with simultaneous construction of two new buildings designed by the architectural firm of Kevin Hom & Andrew Goldman PC. The total cost of the two buildings will be $19 million, with half of the funds provided by New York State and the other half equally divided between the City of New York and private donors. The entire Phase I plan is budgeted at $50 million.