Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Even with the colder weather returning, Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) continues to make great strides on several large-scale and smaller campus projects. These projects are enhancing the student experience and our campus in a variety of ways. It’s exciting to note that the National Veterans Resource Center is almost complete, with the project on schedule for a January 2020 opening. We’re looking forward to celebrating its spring grand opening with the campus community, especially with our veterans, military-connected students and their families.
Here is a listing of the many projects underway around campus:
National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC): Building construction is 90 percent complete as the contractor continues to install interior finishes and begins the site work around the perimeter of the building. This new 115,000 square-foot multi-use facility will include a regional student veterans’ resource center, 750-seat auditorium, registrar and ROTC classroom space, and the new location for the University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which is currently located in the Falk College’s Barclay wing. The NVRC will serve as a one-stop shop in support of the educational needs of the region’s veterans and families. The University’s storied legacy of service to the nation’s veterans will be on display in the exhibition space on the lower level of the building. In December, the sidewalk and roadway along South Crouse Avenue will reopen. Until that time pedestrians and drivers are reminded to follow the signs in the area of construction. You can monitor the progress at the NVRC website and live webcam.
Schine Student Center Renovation: The interior renovation work continues. The removal of the existing pyramidal skylight on the roof is complete. The campus community can expect to see the removal of the brick façade on the west side of the building later this fall through the winter. The Bookstore and Goldstein Auditorium will remain open throughout construction. Information on where to find relocated offices and services during the renovation can be found in this SU News story. The project, identified as a key component of the Campus Framework, will enhance the student experience by creating new gathering spaces, improved facilities for student services and a new dining experience. More information on the project can be found on the SU News website.
Shaw Quadrangle Event Set-up: In preparation for a large event the evening of Nov. 8, workers will construct a pavilion area with a tent on the Shaw Quad, beginning Sunday, Nov. 3. The area will be busy with trucks, deliveries and crews assembling the structure throughout the week. Workers will disassemble the structure directly after the event through Monday, Nov. 11. Access will be maintained on the diagonal sidewalks through the Quad and around the perimeter throughout the construction, but the center north-south walkway will be unavailable. Pedestrians should observe and follow signage. Parking and Transit Services staff will coordinate any temporary closures that may be required due to deliveries on College Place and at The Arch and Carnegie lots. We appreciate the understanding of the campus community during this time.
Campus Wayfinding and Building Signage: A working group of University representatives is overseeing a phased Campus Wayfinding and Building Signage project. The project includes exterior campus wayfinding and building signage, a digital wayfinding app, arrival signage to identify campus gateway entrances, interior building signage and donor recognition signage. North Campus wayfinding and building identification installation continues, with approximately 40 more signs to be installed. Parking lot sign installation on South Campus and at the Manley Complex is also underway, with approximately 30 signs to be installed over the next several weeks.
Comstock Avenue Gas Line Install: National Grid is continuing their work to install a new gas line on Comstock Avenue from Euclid Avenue to East Colvin Street. The piping installation is complete, and National Grid’s contractor is proceeding with connection of all the residential services to the new line. Restoration is underway along the road adjacent to the Manley Complex, including sidewalk replacements.
Ostrom Avenue Properties: The University recently removed eight residential structures along the 700 block of Ostrom Avenue in an effort to relocate University programs, students, faculty and staff from inaccessible facilities. Soon The Daily Orange offices will relocate to 230 Euclid Ave. to allow the final structure at 744 Ostrom Ave. to be removed this winter. The Daily Orange is scheduled to relocate to their new location by the end of November.
Maxwell School Masonry: Masonry repairs on the west side of the building are complete. The contractor is finalizing roof work, which will be done by mid-November.
Crouse College Cupola Restoration: The cupola restoration is complete. The contractor has begun to remove the scaffolding on the roof. All the scaffolding will be removed by mid-November. Restoration work included repair of the wood structure and replacement of the slate shingle roof and copper cladding. This work was the first full renovation and restoration of the original cupolas on this 1889 structure. To learn more about this building, visit the University Archives webpage on Crouse College.
Stadium Roof Project: The west and northeast cranes are in operation, and the steel crown truss installation is underway. The entire bottom ring of the crown truss is complete and the upper ring installation is beginning. Roof installation is planned to begin in March. The project team continues to coordinate all aspects of the construction to ensure that events proceed seamlessly. Pedestrians traveling from Sadler and Lawrinson halls should observe and follow pedestrian signage. For additional information regarding the pedestrian route, visit the site impact and closures webpage. Please also note that the Stadium is closed to walkers due to construction activities around the building.
A full listing of construction projects is updated and listed by building on the CPDC website. Please refer to this website periodically to see what is occurring across campus, and feel free to reach out to the assigned CPDC project manager with any questions you may have. For everyone’s safety, I encourage you to remain alert in work areas, watch for route changes, heed construction flagger directions and follow the pedestrian signs. Visit the CPDC Impact/Road Closure webpage for additional information.
If you have any construction-related questions, comments or suggestions, please email cpdc@syr.edu. For parking concerns, call Parking and Transit Services at 315.443.4652.
If you have questions pertaining to accessibility, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services at 315.443.4018, ADA@syr.edu or equalopp@syr.edu.
Sincerely,
Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer