Exploring Fiterman Hall: A Story Of Resilience And Learning

Viva Haley II 17 Jul 2025

In the very heart of New York City, there is a building that stands as a true symbol of coming back strong. It is called Fiterman Hall, and it is much more than just a place for classes. This building has a really deep history, a past that shows both great sadness and amazing strength. It has been through some incredibly tough times, yet it has risen up again, you know, to serve countless students.

Fiterman Hall, a prominent part of the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), offers a wide range of learning chances. It is a place where many different students come together, and it helps them with transfer programs, evening and weekend studies, and even support for military and veteran students. So, it is a building that truly cares about helping everyone reach their goals, which is something pretty special.

This place, Fiterman Hall, is not just about its academic offerings; it also tells a powerful story about hope and starting fresh. It shows how a community can come together after something really difficult and build something new and better. This building, in a way, represents the spirit of New York City itself, always moving forward, always looking to the future.

Fiterman Hall at a Glance
A Look Back at History
What You'll Find Inside
A Symbol of Renewal
Frequently Asked Questions About Fiterman Hall
Planning Your Visit to Fiterman Hall

Fiterman Hall at a Glance

Fiterman Hall is located at 245 Greenwich Street, in New York, NY 10007. It is, you know, a very important part of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, which people often call BMCC. This building is open quite a bit, too. It welcomes people starting at 6:30 in the morning.

And then, it stays open for business until 11 o'clock at night. This is true every day of the week, so, seven days a week, it is available. It is, in a way, a very accessible place for students and staff. The building is a key part of the main campus for BMCC.

You can get to Fiterman Hall in lots of ways, which is really convenient. People can use the subway, or they can take a bus. Some folks drive their cars, and there is even a ferry option, you know, for getting there. This makes it pretty easy for many people to reach this important college building.

A Look Back at History

The Original Building and Its Generous Gift

The original Fiterman Hall first opened its doors in 1959. It was, you know, just blocks away from the World Trade Center, a location that would later become very significant. Then, in September 1993, something truly special happened. Miles and Shirley Fiterman made a really generous gift.

They donated Fiterman Hall to BMCC. This was, you know, a very big deal at the time. It was the largest single donation that had ever been made to a community college, which is quite something. This gift, actually, provided about a third of the college's classroom space, so it was a huge help for learning.

The building became a central part of BMCC's ability to teach its students. Miles and Shirley Fiterman's kindness, you know, really made a difference for countless students over the years. It showed a deep commitment to education and helping young people get ahead. This kind of support is, you know, something that truly builds up a community.

The Events of September 11th

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Fiterman Hall was, you know, right there, just a few blocks from the World Trade Center towers. Faculty and staff who were in the building that day heard the explosions. It must have been, you know, a truly frightening moment for everyone there. They quickly responded to the immediate needs around them.

These brave people, actually, helped others who were injured from falling debris. They guided people into ambulances, which is, you know, a very selfless act in a time of crisis. The building itself, Fiterman Hall, survived the initial attack that morning. However, its fate was, you know, still uncertain.

Later that afternoon, something else happened that changed everything for the building. 7 World Trade Center fell against it. This caused, you know, irreparable damage to the original Fiterman Hall. The building, which had stood for decades, was, in a way, beyond repair.

The Journey to Rebuilding

After the devastating events of September 11, 2001, the original Fiterman Hall was, you know, deemed too damaged to fix. It had sustained, you know, irreparable damage when 7 World Trade Center collapsed onto it. For nearly eleven years, the Borough of Manhattan Community College was without this very important building. It was a long time, you know, to wait for its return.

The decision was made to rebuild, which was, you know, a huge undertaking. This project was not just about putting up a new structure. It was about, in a way, restoring a vital part of the college and the community. The new building was designed to be, you know, a truly spectacular place.

Finally, on August 27, 2012, the new Fiterman Hall opened its doors. This was a truly significant day. BMCC President Antonio Pérez, you know, said that "Fiterman Hall is all about moving forward." That sentiment, actually, captured the spirit of the reopening perfectly.

Its opening, you know, sent a message of hope and renewal. It was a message for countless generations of future students. After 11 years, the college building that had been destroyed in the 9/11 attacks was, you know, set to reopen, and it did. This marked a new chapter for BMCC and the downtown area.

What You'll Find Inside

Academic Life at BMCC

Fiterman Hall is, you know, the home of Borough of Manhattan Community College, or BMCC. BMCC itself has a rich history, and it is committed to academic excellence. It offers a really wide range of academic programs and services. These are for its very diverse student body, which is something quite special.

Students can find transfer programs there. There are also evening and weekend programs, which are very helpful for many people. BMCC also provides support for military and veteran students. This shows, you know, a dedication to serving all kinds of learners.

The building itself, in a way, helps BMCC carry out its mission. It provides the space and resources needed for quality education. So, it is more than just walls and rooms; it is a place where learning happens. It is, you know, where futures are shaped.

Spaces for Learning and Events

Fiterman Hall has many different spaces inside it. For students, there are eight study rooms. These rooms are, you know, very helpful for groups of students. They can reserve these rooms if they need a place to do research, or to study together.

They are also good for working on group assignments. To use these rooms, students can pick up keys at the security desk. That desk is located at 81 Barclay Street, which is the south entrance of Fiterman Hall. This makes it, you know, pretty easy for students to access these valuable resources.

Beyond classrooms and study spaces, Fiterman Hall also has a conference center. This center is located on the 13th and 14th floors of the building. It is, you know, a very nice space for events. If someone is interested in renting theaters there, they can contact BMCC TPAC.

The conference center is part of the building that Miles and Shirley Fiterman gifted to BMCC/CUNY in 1993. This means it is, you know, another part of their lasting legacy. The building also offers something practical for students who bike. Its ground floor will have storage space for close to 70 bikes, according to Anderson, which is a lot of space.

Connecting with the City

Fiterman Hall is designed with its surroundings in mind. It has two major entrances, and each one serves a very distinct, but important, purpose. The entry at the northwest corner, you know, acts as a natural link. It connects the building to the rest of the BMCC campus that is to the north.

Then there is the south entry. This entrance faces a new triangular park. Beyond that park, you know, you can see the World Trade Center site. This connection to the outside world is, in a way, very thoughtful.

The building also offers truly remarkable views. Fiterman Hall's southern glass wall spans several floors. From here, you can overlook the bustling World Trade Center site and the memorial park. It is a very moving sight, actually.

You can even see the famous "Balloon Flower (Red)" sculpture. This sculpture is by the artist Jeff Koons. So, in a way, the building connects its students not just to their studies, but also to the vibrant life and history of New York City. It is a place that feels, you know, truly part of the city's fabric.

A Symbol of Renewal

Fiterman Hall stands as a very strong reminder of resilience. It is, you know, a college building in Manhattan, New York, located on Greenwich Street. Its reopening in 2012, after being so heavily damaged on 9/11, was a moment of great significance. It sent a message of hope and renewal, which is, you know, something everyone needed.

The building's journey from being irreparably damaged to opening its doors again, you know, shows a lot about the spirit of New York City. It is about moving forward, even after difficult times. As BMCC President Antonio Pérez said, "Fiterman Hall is all about moving forward." That idea, you know, really captures what this building represents.

It is a place for learning, for growth, and for looking to the future. It is a place where new generations of students will come to learn and thrive. So, it is, in a way, a living monument to perseverance. It shows what can be built when people come together with a common goal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fiterman Hall

Here are some common questions people ask about Fiterman Hall:

When did Fiterman Hall reopen after 9/11?

The new Fiterman Hall opened its doors on August 27, 2012. This was, you know, almost eleven years after the original building was damaged beyond repair on September 11th. It marked a very important day for the college and the community.

Who donated Fiterman Hall to BMCC?

Fiterman Hall was donated to BMCC by Miles and Shirley Fiterman. They made this very generous gift in 1993. It was, you know, the largest single donation ever made to a community college at that time.

What are the hours of Fiterman Hall?

Fiterman Hall opens at 6:30 a.m. every day. It then closes for business at 11 p.m., seven days a week. So, it is open for quite a long time each day, you know, to serve its students and staff.

Planning Your Visit to Fiterman Hall

If you are thinking about visiting Fiterman Hall, it is located at 245 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007. You can get directions to the building, you know, quite easily. It is a central part of the Borough of Manhattan Community College campus.

The college offers many opportunities for students. You can learn more about BMCC on their official site. Students can also sign up for various amenities and events that happen there. There are often, you know, upcoming activities to check out.

To find out more about the campus directions, or to explore what BMCC has to offer, you can visit their main site. You can also learn more about admissions on our site. It is a place that truly welcomes everyone, and you know, it has a lot to offer for anyone looking to further their education.

Fiterman Hall - HUNTER ROBERTS CONSTRUCTION GROUP

The New York Times