Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Even though these are challenging times, the determination and spirit we have as a University remain, evident in the resolve and hard work of our students, faculty and staff. That’s why our teams within Campus Planning, Design and Construction continue to enhance, renovate and maintain our university’s buildings and facilities. It will be more important than ever that our campus remains an inspiring beacon when we all return to campus.
As noted in a letter from senior leadership on April 20, all new capital projects are currently on hold, with the exception of those already underway, such as the Stadium improvements, those deemed mission-critical to the academic priorities of the University, or projects that include regulatory, compliance and/or safety components.
As we continue working on those types of projects—and in our commitment to the health and safety of our staff, our team members are outfitted with the necessary personal protective equipment required and are following the proper social distancing guidelines.
Below is a list of the continuing projects:
Lyman Hall Classrooms: Improvements are planned in Lyman Hall this summer to create two additional registrar classrooms. Renovations will include new finishes, lighting, controls, furniture and technology. The work is planned to be complete in August.
Heroy Geology Laboratory Improvements: A project is underway for improvements to geology laboratories on the third floor of Heroy. Spaces 313, 319, 320 and 321 will be completely renovated this summer to prepare for new researchers joining the University this fall.
Center for Science and Technology (CST) Laboratory Improvements: A project team is completing renovations for a Chemistry Computational Lab in CST Room 4-007. The improvements in the new research laboratory include finishes, security, furniture, HVAC, lighting, data and power.
Physics Laboratory Renovations: Renovations to a laboratory in the Physics Building basement, Rooms 012 and 012A are underway. The renovations are for a researcher that recently started at the University. The project will be completed this summer.
Schine Student Center Renovation: After a two-week work shutdown, work has resumed on this renovation project. The center stair and a portion of the concrete floor slab on level two has been removed to create the two-story atrium space in the center of the building. Replacement of the northwest quadrant roof is scheduled during the month of May while all other interior renovation work continues. 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 on the SU News website.
Sadler Hall Elevator Modernization: The contract for the replacement of the motors and elevator controls has been awarded. During spring break some preparatory work was performed. The contractor will re-commence work in May. This project will replace the equipment for all three elevators. 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 is planned this summer while other minor work is occurring in the Barnes Center. The contractor will return to address warranty items associated with the spa and pool tile. The pool and spa will not be available during this time. Additional door operators are scheduled to be installed at a total of nine bathroom and locker room doors. We are incredibly proud of this facility that features services promoting health and well-being for our campus community.
Residence Hall Security Cameras: In response to requests by students, additional security cameras will be installed in all residence halls this summer. Cameras were installed in Day Hall in the fall semester during Thanksgiving break and cameras were recently installed in Flint Hall and Graham Dining Center during spring break. Throughout the summer, security cameras will be installed in lounges and elevators in the remaining residence halls.
Campus Security Cameras: Installation of additional security cameras are planned in the area of Walnut Park and at the Women’s Building to improve the safety of our campus. The camera installations will be completed this summer.
University College Window Replacement: A multi-phase project will commence this summer to replace the windows in University College.
Huntington Hall Window Replacement: A three-phase project will commence this summer to repair windows throughout Huntington Hall. This work will be performed by our Facility Services group during the next three summers.
Stadium Roof Project: The project team reached two big milestones since the last email update, with the deflation and removal of the existing roof in March and the completion of the crown-truss this month. The last crown-truss piece was set in place adorned with the traditional evergreen tree; visit the SU News site to check out a video of this last piece being installed. The contractor is now progressing with disassembly of the west crane and removal of the temporary steel that supported the crown-truss during assembly. In parallel, the second phase contractor is assembling the cable net on the arena floor and preparing for the cable net lift. 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 webpage.
Waverly Avenue Steam Distribution Improvements: A project will begin in May to replace a steam vault on the south side of the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center parking garage and replace the steam/condensate piping across Waverly Avenue serving the Schine Student Center. The project will impact the entry and exit lanes for vehicles on the south side of the parking garage, so please follow signage when using the garage. The project will maintain at least one lane of traffic on Waverly Avenue with flaggers directing traffic. The work will be complete by August.
College Place Lot Steam Distribution Improvements: A steam vault replacement and piping upgrade project will begin in May along the south side of the College Place Lot. The work will extend from the location of the new vault (on the north side of 113 Euclid Ave.) and proceed east toward Comstock Avenue. Access to the lot will be maintained, but please follow signage and flaggers for lane detours. The work will be complete by August.
East Taylor Street Steam Distribution Improvements: A steam distribution project is planned for piping replacement on East Taylor Street, north of the Steam Station. The work is planned to begin in May and completed in July. Please follow detour signs when traveling in the area as the project includes a road closure.
DellPlain Hall Student Room Renovations: Phase two construction of this renovation project, from the ground floor through the fifth floor, was to begin after Commencement in May. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this project has been postponed. Updates will be provided if and when this project restarts in the coming years.
Electrical Major Maintenance: The University’s engineering team is planning major maintenance projects for the various electrical systems on campus, including replacement of the primary switch in the Physics Building. This work is part of ongoing improvements to the University infrastructure systems.
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