With a looming deadline to break ground or face a defaulted tax deal, Syracuse University officials should begin construction on a new SU bookstore as quickly as resources allow.

In Feb. 2012, SU announced it would construct a new bookstore at 601 University Ave. The project is estimated to cost $20 million. On Tuesday, the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency (SIDA) announced that the Cameron Group, the agency backing the project, could lose its tax deal unless construction begins within a 30-day period.

The project’s construction was supposed to begin within a year of signing the lease. The deadline to begin building expired on Aug. 21.

If construction of the property does not commence within 30 days, SIDA has the right to terminate the lease with the Cameron Group, according to Ben Walsh, director of SIDA.

SIDA is now pressuring SU to break ground on the building of the bookstore, as it should. After all, this project is imperative for the university and the student body.

The university is fortunate to lease this property as a tax-exempt, private institution. It will bring in revenue and provide much-needed academic resources for students.

The current bookstore has become outdated throughout the years. The area where textbooks are sold is cramped and tucked away from the rest of the bookstore. The new building should alleviate these problems.

An updated version of the store should be more student friendly. The new bookstore should be expanded to accommodate for the lack of space in the current bookstore. There should be more seating areas and room for collaborative student use.

Fortunately, a deadline to accomplish this goal is in place; SU officials just need to adhere to it. A new building that addresses the issues students face is needed, and the university should follow through with them.

It is time to break ground.

Published on November 21, 2013 at 2:43 am

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