According to Ray Soldavin, vice president of Institutional Advancement at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, the plan calls for construction of a U-shaped building, split into three sections, to be located on 5th Street between 46th Road and 47th Avenue.
   The main building on 5th Street would be a 13-story commercial and residential apartment complex with about 160 units of housing. The two “wing” buildings would be five stories each and provide housing for CUNY graduate center students and faculty.
   The buildings would provide approximately 220 units of housing for the university’s doctoral students — most of whom, Soldavin said, are working professionals between the ages of 25 and 44. The project would also include 12 ground-level faculty town houses.
   The absence of housing for graduate students puts the university at a disadvantage for recruiting, he added, noting that the chosen location is close to the CUNY graduate center in Manhattan.
   “This is turning into a beautiful neighborhood which would be great for young families, professors,” he said. “I think we can convince the community that we will be a tremendous neighbor.”
   Although Soldavin noted that the project “is a lot less dense than what already exists in the neighborhood,” C.B. 2 Chairman Joe Conley said it is still “too dense” and “out of character for the community.”
   The site’s proximity to the extensive development (including several high rises and other residential buildings) moving forward at Queens West remains a major concern.
   The project’s developer, O’Connor Capital Partners, is seeking a zoning variance for the project. The site currently houses a one-story commercial building, which would need to be torn down.
   Conley said that while the community board had virtually no say in the Queens West development, the new plan does fall within its boundaries.
   “It needs board approval,” he said. The community board will meet with the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals to present its case for rejecting the developer’s variance proposal. A meeting date has not yet been scheduled.
   Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan expressed her support of the board’s reservations, adding that CUNY fell short of adequately briefing the community about the project.
   Sid Davidoff, an attorney for O’Connor Capital Partners, thinks the project will fit in with the growth of the community. “We don’t think it will overwhelm,” he said.
   Davidoff said the company hopes to work with the community in the coming months to address any concerns and answer questions about the proposal.