It’s hard to believe that exactly two weeks from today a new semester officially gets underway. That’s why my colleagues and I are so focused on wrapping up the many summer construction projects we’ve been focused on for the last two months. I’m pleased to share with you that the bulk of the summer construction work has concluded, and we’re putting the finishing touches on a number of projects this week.
This week’s updates include:
- Forestry Drive and Sims Drive Water Main: The work to replace and relocate a 50-year-old water main is proceeding ahead of schedule. As a result, we will be closing Sims and Forestry drives from the bridge at Archbold/Flanagan to Illick Hall from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 16, and running through Friday, Aug. 19. Local traffic traveling to SUNY-ESF buildings will be allowed through while construction is underway. All other traffic is encouraged to travel via Irving, Waverly or Comstock avenues.
- Residence Hall Renovations: We are finalizing work on all residence hall renovations this week. The new spaces look great and the updates to existing rooms and spaces will really enhance the living experience for all our students. We look forward to welcoming new and returning students, and I’m confident they’ll be pleased to see the changes inside many of the residence halls.
- University Place Promenade: If you’ve been outside today, you’ll notice significantly less fencing around University Place. That’s because the Promenade project is nearly complete. We have removed fencing from the western half of University and we’ll remove the rest of the fencing this weekend. The Promenade will officially be open on Monday, Aug. 22, and I am eager to see this new space come to life.
- Vehicular Traffic Pattern Change: In order to create a more efficient campus traffic flow, enhance roadway safety, and ensure a seamless level of accessible transportation services for all campus members, beginning today all passenger vehicular traffic entering campus from Comstock Avenue will enter and exit campus via Euclid Avenue. Only emergency vehicles, campus shuttles and buses will be permitted to enter or exit campus through the University Place gate. This will also allow Centro buses to more efficiently serve all campus community members on ADA-friendly routes through campus and to/from its downtown Centro hub. City routes heading to the downtown hub will pick up passengers for such service on the Life Sciences Complex side of College Place instead of Comstock Avenue. This bus stop will be open and ready for service on Aug. 22.
Last week, we held our fifth and final summer construction information session. Those information sessions proved to be invaluable, and I want to extend my gratitude to the many community members who participated in one or more of the events. Your feedback is very helpful and we look forward to continued dialogue and engagement as we begin a new academic year.
If you have any construction-related questions, comments or suggestions, please email cpdc@syr.edu. For parking concerns, call Parking and Transit Services at 443-4652. And if you have questions pertaining to accessibility, contact Aaron Hodukavich, director and ADA coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services, at 443-2377 or ajhoduka@syr.edu.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Regards,
Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer