In just a few months this quiet office building on Stuyvesant Place in St. George is expected to be bustling.
The College of Staten Island plans open a 16,000 square foot satellite location here later this year.
"It's really all about access. Get them back in school if they've been in school and have stopped out for time. Provide first time experience and exposure to higher education," said Dr. William J. Fritz, who is the President of CSI.
With St. George accessible by boat, train and bus school officials hope to attract students who find getting to the school's main Willowbrook campus inconvenient.
Officials say thousands of 18 to 25 year olds in the borough have a high school diploma but no degree.
"Students in the corridors around Richmond Terrace, South Beach, in those areas, typically don't have cars that's what our statistics show, and their travel time to campus is very significant," said Michael Kress, Vice President of IT & Economic Development.
Along with 10 state-of-the-art classrooms, there will also be a lounge, conference room, faculty room, advisement offices, and a food cart.
"All of the excitement that's happening with the wheel, we can be the center of all of that, and be a significant and critical part of economic development in the North Shore," said Ken Iwama, who is the Deputy to the President and Chief of Staff.
Along with cutting down commute times for some of their students, administrators say they also want to attract residents who commute to work by Ferry looking to further their education.
"But if someone is not ready to start an associate, baccalaureate, masters program, we also offer continuing studies so once again there's something for everyone," said Jennifer S. Borrero, VP for Student and Enrollment Services.
This is CSI's second satellite location. The other is on Merrill Avenue. CSI St. George is expected to open this fall.