Construction update spring 2020

On Friday, March 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a directive suspending all non-essential construction activity in New York state. According to the directive, only emergency, nonessential construction can continue where the work is “necessary to protect the health and safety of the occupants,” or to finish a job if it would be unsafe to stop it now, but only to complete enough work so that it is safe to close down. This directive affects most construction projects underway at Binghamton University.

University Union Undergrounds renovation

Work was completed in early February on renovations to the University Union Undergrounds spaces. This is a student activity/entertainment area including a bowling alley, pool tables, ping pong, the Food Co-op, Late Nite and study and seating spaces. The project involved removing walls to create a more open space. New lighting, flooring and furnishings have drastically brightened the spaces. Glass storefronts were installed in some areas in keeping with the open concept. There are a variety of seating options with easy access to outlets and tabletop “air” charging stations.

Hinman Student Success Center

This project was completed in January and enhanced student study, meeting and collaboration space in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center in the Hinman College Community. The project included new flooring, lighting and furnishings.

Hinman Dining Hall

The contractor has completed much of the utility relocation work. Almost all utilities including telecom, electrical, water and sewer had to be rerouted to make way for a 26,500 sq. ft. addition that will be constructed on the west side of the dining hall. Work will soon begin on the foundation for the addition along with a new building envelope for the dining hall. All existing space has been gutted and will be reconfigured. All utilities will be new and the three-story addition will house a new lounge, program and retail space and new restrooms. It is hoped that work will be complete in August 2021.

Cleveland Hall renovation

Removal of the windows has been completed with the arrival and installation of new windows beginning in the coming weeks. Framing and sheet-rock continue throughout. Electrical conduit and wiring is underway with upper floors complete and work moving to lower floors. Bathroom plumbing has been completed on floors two and three while the contractor continues work on the first and basement floors. Valances for heating/cooling riser piping has been completed. Elevator restoration and masonry restoration will begin soon. The schedule for completion is January 2021.

Science 2 renovation

Most of the major interior work is complete and the contractor is working on finishes throughout the spaces. Furnishings are being finalized. Some exterior paneling on the physics wing and tower continues. Replacement of the chemistry wing windows will occur this summer. It is hoped that new undergraduate laboratories, classrooms and restrooms will be ready for the fall 2020 semester.

Engineering Building renovations

The Engineering Building’s new facade and windows are in place minus the new north entry. Over the summer, a new plaza deck entry will be completed. A variety of work is progressing inside including electrical, flooring and finishing work on the second floor, installation of a new concrete floor on the third floor and elevator replacement. It is hoped that new offices, classrooms and restrooms will be available for the fall 2020 semester. The project updated key building utilities and infrastructure.

Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Multi-trade work is taking place on floors one through four, including mechanical infrastructure work and metal stud and drywall construction. Steel is in place for the stair tower addition and almost all the glass has been installed. Masonry work is nearing completion on the classroom addition. Kitchen and casework delivery and installation is being coordinated with kitchen equipment expected to arrive in May. Furniture is ordered.

The renovation of the first four floors will create classrooms, simulation labs, offices, advising and conference space, an information commons, food service and public space for the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences. It is hoped that classes will be held in the new facility beginning in fall 2020.

Design is complete for new programs that will be housed on floors five and six and the project will be bid in March, with work getting underway this summer. Construction is scheduled to be complete in summer 2021, pending the decision by the governor to suspend construction.

Science 4 west-side renovation

It is anticipated that this project will be bid in April with work to begin around June. As with the completed Science 4 east-side renovation, this project will provide new offices, labs and support space on the west side of Science 4 with work to hoped to be complete in summer 2021.

Summer 2020

Plans are being finalized for a number of projects that will take place over the summer, including the expansion of the M lots and paving in a number of areas. However, these plans are on hold due to the coronavirus and the governor’s suspension of nonessential construction activities.