April 2022 Construction Update

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As we head toward the end of the semester, I hope everyone can take time to enjoy the start of spring, even as this is one of the busiest times of year. This is also the time that Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) prepares for its summer work on campus. There are many renovations and major projects planned throughout campus that will enhance the student experience, academic experience and overall enjoyment of our beautiful campus.

It is important to keep our campus community informed regarding our upcoming projects. As we have done in the past, an information session to share our planned utility and site work for the summer is scheduled for today. Everyone from our campus community is invited to attend. The session will take place at 4 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, home of the National Veterans Resource Center.

Below are some current projects underway and others that are upcoming:

STEM Renewal:

  • Link Hall Renovation: In February, construction began on a renovation project in Link Hall, as part of a multi-year plan to upgrade the majority of the building. This first phase focuses on the third and fourth floors of Link Plus, as well as upgrades to central mechanical and electrical systems. This phase of construction also includes construction of a penthouse addition on the roof to expand mechanical room space. The first phase will be complete in December 2022.
  • Center for Science and Technology (CST) Laboratory Renovation: In November 2021, the University began a laboratory renovation project in the chemistry wing on the first floor of CST. The project includes renovating 12 laboratory bays, new building mechanical systems to support laboratories on all floors of the west wing and renovations to the chemistry office adjacent to a new seminar room and theory room for students. The project is scheduled to be completed in January 2023.

Link Hall Allyn Innovation Center: The project team is finalizing the plan to begin construction on the first phase of the Allyn Innovation Center at Link Hall. The creation of the Allyn Innovation Center will result in a renovation to much of the first floor of the building over the next several years. The first phase will include new entries on the south side and west side of the building. The south side renovation will include a small building addition and construction of an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible entrance. The new west entry will transform the east end of the Quad, also with an ADA accessible entrance. The construction for the first phase will begin in May, after Commencement, and will be complete in October 2022.

111 Waverly Ave./804 University Ave.: Renovations are nearing completion in these two buildings. The newly renovated space will allow several offices to consolidate in one location for more streamlined service for students. The Center for Disability Resources Testing Center and the Office of the University Ombuds have relocated to the lower level of 111 Waverly Ave. New Student and Family Programs and Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services are now located on the first floor of 111 Waverly Ave. The Shaw Center is scheduled to relocate at the end of the spring semester to the first floor. The second floor of 111 Waverly Ave. will be the new home for Student Outreach and Retention (formerly known as Dean of Students Office and Retention and Student Success) and house central and administrative Student Living staff.

410 S. Crouse Ave.: Renovations are complete at this University facility on South Crouse Avenue. This renovation project and the relocation of Information Technology Services (ITS) staff made space available on North Campus for a STEM facility renewal project in the CST and Link Hall.

Library Storage Addition: A new building addition has been completed on the existing Library Storage Facility, located on Jamesville Avenue. The 14,000-plus square-foot addition includes cool and cold storage vaults with specialized HVAC and control systems. These systems will provide spaces with optimal environmental conditions to store and prolong the life of materials that are crucial to the teaching and scholarship happening each day on the University’s campus. The contractor is receiving backordered occupancy sensors this week that will allow the shelving systems to interface with the fire alarm system. After this integration work, the space will be ready for move-in. Over the next month, the contractors will be restoring the site and demobilizing.

Lally Athletics Complex, Phase 1A: This spring Athletics will begin the construction of a multi-year, multi-phase project transforming the Manley Field House complex to the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, made possible by the generosity of John Lally ’82 and his wife, Laura, together with others who have made several gifts in support of this effort. This first phase of the project will create a new distinct entry to the complex at the Simmons wing and a new plaza, and will include site and utility work to support future phases of the project.

Housing:

  • DellPlain Hall Student Room Renovation: The final phase of the DellPlain student room renovation will occur this summer. Student rooms on floors one through five will be renovated, including accessibility improvements, and new finishes, flooring and furniture. The work also includes a new control desk at the main entrance and new furniture in the lounges on floors one through eight. Work will begin immediately after Commencement and is scheduled to be complete in August 2022.
  • Haven Hall Single User Bathrooms: The communal restrooms in Haven Hall are scheduled to be renovated and converted this summer to single user, accessible bathrooms on floors four through 11.
  • Brewster Hall/Boland Hall: All bathrooms in these two residence halls will be refreshed. The work will include new paint, new epoxy flooring and lighting in all 40 bathrooms.

Utility Projects: CenTrio, the operator of the Steam Station, is completing multiple utility projects on campus this summer, in coordination with CPDC. Included here is a summary of work and major impacts for each project:

  • Waverly Avenue Steam Upgrades: Installation of a new steam vault and upgrades to over 700 feet of steam/condensate distribution system, including the steam service to Watson Hall. The majority of work is along the south side of Waverly Avenue, from Ernie Davis Hall west to Bird Library. The work will require a Comstock Avenue closure, from University Place to Waverly Avenue, for approximately eight weeks, beginning in June. There will also be pedestrian detours along sidewalks in the area throughout construction.
  • Comstock Avenue Steam Upgrades: This project includes a new steam vault, upgrades to the steam/condensate distribution system and new steam service to CST. The work will take place on the west side of Comstock Avenue, adjacent to CST and in the Life Sciences Complex Lot. There are no road closures associated with this work, though please note sidewalk detours will be required.
  • 111 Waverly Ave./Huntington Hall Chilled Water: A new chilled water service to 111 Waverly Ave. is planned for the summer. The work will be completed on the north side of 111 Waverly Ave. and will require the closure of parking in that area for approximately six to eight weeks.
  • University Place/Irving Avenue Hill Lot Utility Upgrades: An extensive utility project is planned along University Place, between Crouse Drive and Irving Avenue, as well as in the Irving Avenue Hill Lot. The work includes steam/condensate distribution upgrades, electrical power duct banks and stormwater systems. The Irving Avenue Hill Lot will be closed for much of the summer to allow for the completion of the project. There will also be short-term closures to Crouse Drive and University Place.
  • Syracuse Housing Authority/Brewster Boland Brockway (BBB) Garage Duct Bank Installation: A new electrical power duct bank installation is planned and will begin on Syracuse Housing Authority property along Almond Street, then head south toward Van Buren Street and through the BBB Garage. The work will take most of the summer and will result in a closure to the BBB Garage.
  • Stadium Steam Upgrades: Replacement of a steam vault on Forestry Drive is planned for the summer, to begin after the Paul McCartney concert in June. The work will include new steam service, condensate service, water services and duct banks to the stadium. The work will impact vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area of the stadium loading dock for the 11-week period from June 6 to Aug. 19.

Garages and Surface Lots: Annual University garage maintenance and parking lot resurfacing is scheduled to occur late spring into the fall 2022.

The Marshall: Work has begun to transition this facility to University systems by adding door operators, network wiring, building entrance card access and a proposed loading dock at the rear of the building to improve the move-in/move-out process.

Bird Library North Entrance Improvements: The second phase of Bird Library entrance improvements is planned for this summer and will include the replacement of the north and south vestibules to the building. Each vestibule will be reconstructed separately, and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the opposite entrance during the work.

Campus Signage and Monumental Gateway Signage: The installation of two monumental gateway signs is planned for this summer, both located along Waverly Avenue, at prominent entry points to North Campus.

  • Waverly Avenue and University Avenue: The existing stairs located between the Schine Student Center and the Newhouse Communications Complex on the south side of the Waverly Avenue and University Avenue intersection will be removed and replaced with a new gateway sign. The sidewalks leading to the south, to the Einhorn Family Walk, will also be replaced as part of this project. At the south end of the site, the stairs leading to the Einhorn Family Walk will be replaced by a uniformly sloped sidewalk to enhance accessibility. When the work is complete, the entire walkway between Waverly Avenue and the Einhorn Family Walk will be completely accessible and there will be no stairs. The work is extensive in this area and significant pedestrian detours will be required to complete this work.
  • Waverly Avenue and South Crouse Avenue: The second gateway sign will be located on the lawn immediately west of Newhouse 3. Minor pedestrian detours will be required.

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 Transportation 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.

Thank you,

Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer