Cathedral of St. John

Spec reported last fall that the Cathedral of St. John the Divine would let Columbia and AvalonBay Communities build on the Close (the parcel of land bordered by Morningside, Amsterdam, 110th, and 113th) in exchange for rental income. Today, the New York Times reports that AvalonBay will build a 20-story, 300-unit apartment building on the southeast corner of the site.

Bwog thinks that Columbia’s parcel on the north side of the Close is the perfect place for a new freshman dorm. Living next door to both the St. Luke’s emergency room and the cathedral, freshmen could get CAVAd and atone for their sins in a one-block radius!

Update:

Apparently, no-go on the dorm. Bwog just got an e-mail from Tao Tan, who informs us that the Close will be home to the new Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Construction is supposed to start in 2-3 years.