Manhattan Community Board 8 approved Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus plan Dec. 19 as part of New York City's public land use review process. The plan now continues through the process with review by the Manhattan borough president, followed by the City Planning Commission and City Council. The Community Board's approval came exactly one year after Cornell, with its academic partner the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, was selected by the city to develop the applied science and engineering campus. The Roosevelt Island campus will sit on a 12-acre site and is slated to open in 2017, with full build-out by 2037.

"Roosevelt Island has a fantastic history of innovation and civic participation, but we were still gratified by the interest and support of so many Islanders from day one," said Cornell Tech Vice President Cathy Dove. "We are appreciative for the support of our new neighbors and assure them that the construction and operation of the campus will be handled in a way that protects, respects and welcomes the rest of the Island. We look forward to continuing the dialogue about this innovative new campus with New Yorkers during the public review process and beyond."

"This is such an exciting time and place to be launching Cornell Tech, with the support of the city, our neighbors and the tech community," said Cornell Tech Dean Dan Huttenlocher. "When our beta class arrives in January, we'll be debuting a new curriculum built on academic excellence, interdisciplinary focus and entrepreneurial spirit, all with the goal of spurring innovation and supporting economic growth in New York and beyond."