Hinman renovations latest major project

By Karen Fennie

A major renovation of Hinman Dining Hall, which began just before the holiday break, is the most recent large-scale construction project under way on campus.

The area around the dining hall has been fenced and the first phase of the project, which involves asbestos removal, is well under way. The entire second floor of the building will be gutted. New stairways, new food preparation and distribution areas are part of the renovation. The second phase of the project will include building a convenience store.

The project will increase the seating capacity of Hinman Dining Hall and will allow students in Hunter and Marcy Halls in the new Mountainveiw Community to use the facility until a new dining hall is built for that complex.

While the work is being done, Hinman students are eating meals in the former Mini Mall in the University Union. The renovation will be completed by fall.

Progress continues on construction of Hunter and Marcy Halls in the Mountainview Community. Hunter Hall is approximately 40 percent complete, while Marcy is about 25 percent complete. Design work is completed for two additional residence halls, Windham and Cascade Halls, and nearly completed for Appalachian Collegiate Center-Dining Hall. Construction will begin this spring.

In addition, the 18-year-old campus parking ramp will undergo a major upgrade this summer. The ramp will close after Commencement and re-open in time for the fall semester. Parkers who use the ramp have been offered alternative parking during construction. The $725,000 project includes resurfacing, a new sidewalk on the west end, a new catch basin on the east side, and storm drainage replacement along with new lights with battery backup. Granite treads will be installed on the south end steps. Handrails will be replaced and selected areas of masonry will also be replaced.

Construction on the Events Center is about 76 percent complete. The contractor continues to focus efforts on enclosing the building and mechanical, electrical and power distribution systems. Physical Facilities and Athletics are also actively working on contracts for major equipment such as bleachers, the scoreboard and the portable basketball flooring.

Planning is also under way for the Innovative Technologies Complex. Three temporary staff members have been hired using funds from the Gen*NY*sis program to design space for bioengineering, transgenic vector research, core research facilities, incubator space and offices for the Division of Research. Asbestos abatement is scheduled in the building this summer. The goal is to have a program statement and design so that the University can move into construction quickly once funding is finalized.

Contractors also recently installed new doors in the main entrances of the Library to improve security and access for people with disabilities and upgrade them for card access.