Virginia Denton, director of Syracuse University's Office of Design and Construction, says she is asked the same question around this time every year.
"People want to know what part of campus we'll be digging up," Denton says. "While much of the year is spent designing and constructing projects, summer is when the really visible outdoor construction and maintenance projects can take place."
This summer is no different than in years past, as construction projects ranging from a complete upgrading of the Manley North parking lot to major roof replacements and general beautification of the University grounds will be taking place.
Some of the most visible projects are the big digs, including the steam line being replaced in front of the Hall of Languages. Denton says steam and condensate lines have to be replaced every 30 to 50 years.
The upgrading of the Manley North parking lot in front of the Comstock Art Facility involves resurfacing, controlled drainage, and the construction of islands to better define the parking spaces and create a more uniform look for the lot, Denton says.
Other major outdoor projects include resurfacing the Women's Building North parking lot, improving the surface drainage and pedestrian walkways between Slocum Hall and Sims Hall, replacing the domestic water piping for the Heroy Geology Laboratory, and beautifying the Quad.
Improvements to the exteriors of various buildings will also take place throughout the summer, highlighted by the refurbishment work on two campus domes (no, not that one)--those of Hendricks Chapel and Manley Field House. The Hendricks Chapel roof work will be completed during the summer, while the Manley Field House reroofing will extend into the early fall. Roof work will also be done at the Comstock Art Facility, five buildings at Skytop II and two buildings at Slocum Heights.
At the same time construction is taking place outside, work crews will be renovating interior building spaces. The third floor of the SU Bookstore in the Schine Student Center will be renovated to upgrade its office space. The Hall of Languages' auditoriums in Rooms 107 and 207 will be reworked, reducing the capacity of the rooms but creating more space.
Another major interior project will take place in the Sue Ann Genet Auditorium in Slocum Hall. New lighting will be installed, along with a new audio-visual system and seating improvements. Classrooms in Bowne Hall, Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, the Hall of Languages, the Heroy Geology Laboratory and Link Hall will also receive audio-visual upgrades, and the Kimmel computer cluster will undergo a complete renovation.
Construction in campus residence halls this summer will include upgraded lighting in student rooms at both Dellplain and Booth halls. Sprinkler systems will be installed at Dellplain, Booth and Haven halls. And Slocum Heights housing will be connected to SU's high-speed computer network.
