President's Report Masthead
September 30, 2014

Construction update

Summer 2014 saw the successful completion of several projects while construction began on the Smart Energy Research and Development Facility at the Innovative Technologies Complex.

Admissions Center

Green Wall in the new Admissions Center.
Jonathan Cohen
A look at the green wall in the new Admissions Center that acts as a biofilter.

The former Dickinson Dining Hall has reopened as the Admissions Center. Work to renovate and add to the building began in summer 2012 and was completed this summer. The facility has been transformed with the addition of 13,000 square feet of space, including a light-filled atrium in the main lobby. The building was completely gutted and re-designed and now features a large presentation room, a classroom, and modern offices and meeting spaces. It houses student services offices including student accounts, enrollment management and undergraduate admissions, financial aid and student records, and course building and academic space management. A unique feature of the Admissions Center is a “green wall” in the main lobby containing 670 individual plants that acts as a biological filter helping to clean the air that will also be used as a teaching tool by the environmental studies program. The Admissions Center project also includes the addition of a courtyard and landscaping around the building.

Old Whitney Hall conversion

Another old Dickinson building has a new use. Classes are now being held in two new classrooms in Old Whitney Hall which has also become the new home of the Department of Mathematical Sciences and includes offices, testing labs and support space. The facility received extensive code and energy updates and new mechanical systems, windows and roof.

East Drive reconstruction

Big improvements were made to East Drive which passes through the new Newing and Dickinson communities. Work began with installation of a gas line and then the entire roadway was repaved and three speed tables were added for pedestrian safety. There was also extensive landscaping with the addition of several trees and other plantings.

Anderson Center deck/Reception Room renovations

The Anderson Center Reception Room and deck were renovated. The project included replacing the deck with a new patio area and entrance along with a new walkway, exterior lighting and landscaping. Interior improvements included new flooring, lighting and furnishings.

Other summer 2014 completed projects

The Events Center roof, damaged in a hail storm, was replaced. Repairs were made to building exteriors including the west side of Science 2, the Couper Administration Building, the Engineering Building, Library North and the McGuire Building. Work included patching, painting and washing. New outdoor lighting was installed in parking lots S1, S2 and the walkway to the Newman Bridge.

A number of improvements in residential hall communities were also completed. A variety of site work took place in the Dickinson Community including restoration of the co-rec field, tree replacements, and walkway repair and replacement. Small, miscellaneous repairs also took place in the buildings.

Flooring replacements occurred in certain areas of the following residential halls: Mohawk, Marcy, Cascade, Hunter, Hughes and Cleveland. Re-shingling and lighting protection was completed on buildings in the Hillside Community. Door replacements took place in CIW’s Oneida, Seneca and Cayuga halls. In Hinman, door replacements occurred in Hughes, Smith and Roosevelt halls.

New/ongoing projects

Smart Energy Research and Development Facility

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy at Smart Energy Research and Development Facility groundbreaking.
Jonathan Cohen
Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy was among the dignitaries at the groundbreaking of the Smart Energy Research and Development Facility on Aug. 27, 2014.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Aug. 27 for the $70 million, 114,000 gross square-foot Smart Energy Research and Development Facility. It will house the departments of chemistry and physics, including 56,000 net square-feet for research, 125 fume hoods and 45 faculty offices. The facility will provide room for faculty and industry scientists and engineers to work side by side to create new energy technologies and maintain and expand the regional workforce. Work is scheduled to be complete in summer 2017.

Read more in Inside

NAR Collegiate Center mechanical systems renovation

Another project that got under way in August involves a complete renovation of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center mechanical/HVAC systems. Additional work includes new ceilings, flooring, lighting and painting. A new classroom will be added and three existing classrooms will be updated by the time work is completed in March 2015.           

Old O’Connor/Johnson renovations

Work continues on Old O’Connor/Johnson renovations. Work in Old Johnson is due to wrap up at the end of the year and the building will become home to Information Technology Services and the Department of Geography. Old O’Connor will house Division of Advancement functions including the Binghamton University Foundation, the Office of Alumni Affairs, an alumni lounge and the University Counseling Center. Old O’Connor work is estimated to be completed in 2015. The project includes a new connecting link between the buildings that will serve as a common entry.

Old Champlain conversion

Asbestos abatement is complete in Old Champlain where renovations will create two classrooms. Former residential rooms will be developed for campus offices/business use.           

Science 2 laboratory renovations

Four laboratories on the second floor of the chemistry wing of Science 2 are under renovation. Work involves asbestos abatement and demolition of existing facilities. New flooring, heating, ventilation, ceilings, power distribution, data, fume hoods and window repair and restoration is included in the scope of work. Completion is March 2015.