Construction projects keep campus busy during the summer

Construction projects keep campus busy during the summerAugust 23, 2002Mark Owczarskimaowczar@syr.edu

Tell anyone from the Office of Design and Construction that it was a quiet and uneventful on campus this summer, don’t be surprised if they give you a funny look in return.

That’s because the summer-or more precisely, that time between Commencement and Opening Weekend-is the time when campus improvement projects, both large and small, can get done at the University. Once completed, these projects improve the overall campus environment for students, faculty and staff.

The largest of the on-campus projects is the construction of the University Avenue parking garage, located between University and Walnut avenues and Harrison and Adams streets. Excavation for the project began in March and will continue through spring or summer of 2003. Once this project is completed, the site of the current Marshall parking lot will be available for the construction of the new School of Management Building.

Construction on the South Campus Welcome station began in July and will be completed by the start of the fall semester. In addition to the construction of a small structure, located on Skytop Road near the intersection of East Colvin Street, Skytop Road will be modified so that automobiles are directed to pass through one of two gated lanes when entering South Campus.

Sprinkler system improvements were completed in Kimmel/Marion, Flint and Sadler halls. Approximately $2 million was spent to complete the fourth stage of a five-year plan to equip all campus residence halls with enhanced fire safety systems. Next summer, sprinkler systems will be installed in Skyhall I, II and III, and Watson and Shaw halls will be completed.

A renovation project to Sadler Dinning Center was completed that added more square footage to the facility. The north wall was extended 12 feet and new windows were installed as part of the $700,000 project. Kitchen facilities and serving areas were improved as well.

In addition, Washington Arms, located at 621 Walnut Ave., had a new elevator and heating system installed this summer. And the stairs leading to entrance to the Menschel Media Center in Watson Hall were rebuilt.

Additional brickwork projects were completed at campus entrances on University Place and Euclid Avenue. Crosswalks and sidewalks constructed of brick were completed earlier thissummer.