FORDHAM EXPANSION APPROVED

the city council gave final approval to fordham university's expansion of its lincoln center campus.

this ends the months-long public review process that started with hearings at community board 7.

"we are pleased, naturally, that the city council recognizes the importance of fordham's lincoln center campus to the local community and to the city," said fordham president father joseph mcshane, s.j., in a statement following the june 30 vote.

approval was all but assured once local council member gale brewer gave her support to the proposal upon receiving concessions from fordham earlier in june.

the final plan will include six new buildings-including two private luxury apartment buildings-and 1.5 million square feet of academic and dormitory space.

there is no construction timeline yet, but the first phase of the project will be the new law school and interim public plaza.