Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Summer is typically a very busy time of year for construction and renovation projects across campus. Although all new capital projects are currently on hold, Campus Planning, Design and Construction continues to move ahead on projects already underway; those deemed mission-critical to the academic priorities of the University; or projects that include regulatory, compliance and/or safety components. Our teams are working to ensure those projects that are essential to the needs of our students are on schedule and in place before they return to campus for the start of the fall semester.
Here is an update on many of the projects:
Classroom Technology Upgrades/Camera Installation: Cameras are being installed in 28 registrar classrooms this summer to support distance learning. The installation of these cameras and new audiovisual technology will increase instructional flexibility to allow for in-person instruction, as well as distance learning, in the fall semester.
Heroy Geology Laboratory Improvements: A project is underway for improvements to geology laboratories on the third floor of Heroy. Rooms 313, 319, 320 and 321 will be completely renovated this summer to prepare for new researchers joining the University this fall.
Physics Laboratory Renovations: Renovations to a laboratory in the Physics Building basement, Rooms 012 and 012A, are underway. The renovations are for a researcher who recently started at the University. The project will be completed this summer.
Physics Room 115 Renovations: A planned project is now in construction to renovate and expand the current Physics 115 teaching lab to improve efficiency and increase the capacity of the space. Demolition work has already been completed, and new work is progressing for completion in August.
Lyman Hall Classrooms: Improvements are underway in Lyman Hall to renovate existing classroom 115D and create a new adjacent classroom. Renovations will include new finishes, lighting controls, furniture and technology upgrades. The work is planned for completion in August.
Schine Student Center Renovation: Mechanical, plumbing and electrical work is 75 percent complete. Framing of the interior walls is 50 percent complete, and drywall installation has begun in some areas of the building. The previous pyramidal skylight has been replaced with a larger glass lantern to allow more natural light to filter through the new atrium space in the center of the building. Natural light will now filter through the second floor down to the first floor. The demolition of the building façade on the south side and west side is complete. The new window installation has started, and the facade work will commence in early fall. When construction is complete, the building will feature new accessible pathways; upgraded spaces for student organizations; a dedicated cultural centers area that co-locates the Disability Cultural Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and LGBT Resource Center, further promoting inclusivity and intersectionality; and a new glass façade allowing natural light to flood into the front of the building. More information on the Schine Student Center renovation, identified as a key component of the Campus Framework to enhance the student experience, can be found in this SU News story.
Sadler Hall Elevator Modernization: This project includes the replacement of the equipment in all three elevators. Replacement of the motors and elevator controls is significantly complete. Two of the three elevators will be complete by the start of the fall semester to serve the entire building. Work on the third elevator will continue into the fall semester.
Barnes Center at The Arch: HVAC work on the Flanagan bridge to provide improved heating and cooling is nearing completion. The installation of nine ADA accessible door operators for the locker rooms, counseling center and health services suite will be complete this summer. The contractor is currently addressing warranty items associated with the spa and pool tile. The pool and spa work will be complete by August.
Residence Hall Security Cameras: As part of the University’s Campus Commitments, in response to student concerns, additional security cameras will be installed in all residence halls this summer. Security cameras will be installed in lounges and elevators in all residence halls that did not previously receive security cameras. The contractor is making great progress and is currently working in the Brockway, Brewster, Boland complex.
Campus Security Cameras: Three additional security cameras are currently being installed in areas adjacent to Walnut Park and at the Women’s Building to improve safety. The camera installations will be completed this summer.
University College Window Replacement: In June, windows were replaced in Room 210. A multi-phase project will commence later this summer to replace the windows throughout the facility.
Stadium Roof Project: The project team has completed an extensive amount of work inside the Stadium in parallel with demobilization by the steel erectors that constructed the crown truss. Following completion of the crown truss in April, the steel erectors proceeded with removal of all temporary steel around the building and removal of the two large cranes from the site. The next step in the process is installation of a cable net assembly, which is composed of a complex arrangement of cables, clamps and slides that will support the roof assembly. The majority of the cable net has been assembled and is currently being raised into place using hydraulic strand jacks. The closure of Forestry Drive remains in effect as the contractors continue their work. Please follow detour signage and pay careful attention in the area, as this remains a busy construction site. Pedestrians traveling from Sadler Hall and Lawrinson Hall should observe and follow pedestrian signage. For additional information regarding the pedestrian route, visit the Site Impact/Road Closure web page.
Waverly Avenue Steam Distribution Improvements: A contractor is currently working to replace a steam vault on the south side of the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center parking garage and to replace the steam/condensate piping across Waverly Avenue serving the Schine Student Center. The vault construction is now 80 percent complete, and the piping is progressing well. The westbound lane of Waverly Avenue between Walnut Place and University Avenue is closed, and vehicles should use the marked detour. Vehicles using the parking garage should follow signage for entry/exit. The work in this area will be completed in August.
College Place Lot Steam Distribution Improvements: A steam vault replacement and piping upgrade project is underway along the south side of the College Place Lot. Construction on the steam vault is about 80 percent complete, and the contractor is proceeding with piping and drainage work. Access to the lot will generally be maintained, but please follow signage and flaggers when present. The work will be complete in August.
East Taylor Street Steam Distribution Improvements: A steam distribution project is currently in construction on East Taylor Street, north of the Steam Station, to replace aged piping on one of the main steam piping feeds serving the campus system. This critical work is underway and progressing well for completion in August. Please follow detour signs when traveling in the area as the project includes a road closure.
Electrical Major Maintenance: The University’s engineering team is planning major maintenance projects for the various electrical systems on campus. This includes replacement of the primary electrical switch in the Physics Building, which is currently underway and is planned for completion in the fall.
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 Site 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