Blog

Apr 21, 2023

Summer 2023 Construction Projects

Did you know that the summer is one of the busiest times for Facilities and

Did you know that the summer is one of the busiest times for Facilities and Operations? While many students and faculty are away on a well-deserved break, Facilities and Operations likes to take advantage of the quieter campus to perform a wide range of improvements.

Similar to previous years, a significant number of projects will take place across the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses and Baker Athletics Complex, including laboratory renovations, window replacements, residence hall upgrades, grounds improvements, façade repairs, and more. Highlights of improvements performed during the summer are outlined below for summer projects and ongoing renovations in alphabetical order by building, with a map showing the project locations.

If you have questions or concerns about any construction project taking place this summer, please call the Columbia University Facilities Services Center, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (212) 854-2222 or e-mail [email protected] (emails are responded to during regular business hours).

Baker Athletics Complex

Replacement of the water line servicing the new tennis center.

Broadway Hall

Renovation of lounges, restrooms, and kitchen/pantry areas, as well as new ceiling tiles, lighting, painting, carpeting, and furniture throughout the building.

Butler Library

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Carman Hall

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

CEPSR

Inspection and painting of the two sky bridges connecting CEPSR to Pupin and Mudd Halls.

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Waterproofing of the east staircase by 120th Street to prevent leaks.

Fairchild Center

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Fayerweather Hall

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Furnald Hall

Façade cleaning of building entrance and stone façade.

Furnald Lawn

Construction of new exterior stairs and entrance to facilitate access to Furnald Lawn from the courtyard in front of Furnald and Pulitzer Halls.

Hartley Hall

Façade cleaning of building entrance and stone façade.

International Affairs Building 1400 and 1500 Levels

Renovation of offices, conference room, and restrooms for a new institute for the School of International and Public Affairs.

John Jay Hall

Repairs of the areaways on the eastern portion of 114th Street and Amsterdam Avenue around the perimeter of John Jay Hall, including the installation of new metal sidewalk grating, structural support, and replacement of granite.

Façade cleaning of building entrance and stone façade.

Kent Hall

Waterproofing of the interior and exterior wall on the 2nd floor and installation of drainage to prevent leaks.

Replacement of monumental windows on the third floor.

Lerner Hall

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Final punch list, commissioning and turnover work for the new Wang Pavilion performance space.

Low Library

Replacement of the corner building windows on the 200, 300, and 400 levels with energy-efficient, custom mahogany wood windows and exterior wood trim in keeping with the McKim, Mead, and White historic design.

Reconstruction of the pathway leading to the Public Safety (southeast) entrance to create a more even walkway and allow for better drainage.

Elevator modernization upgrades, consistent with new elevator code requirements instituted by the NYC Department of Buildings. Elevator upgrades to buildings on campus have been and will continue to take place over the course of the next few years to comply with the new regulations.

Low Steps and Plaza

Restoration of the iconic granite steps and handrails leading from College Walk to Alma Mater and from Low Plaza to Kent and Dodge Halls on the east and west, respectively, to address natural wear and tear and uneven settling.

Mudd Building 1000 and 1100 Levels

Renovations of public restrooms.

Pulitzer Hall 300 Level

Cosmetic renovation of the public corridor and adjacent elevator lobbies on the third floor.

Ruggles Hall

Elevator modernization upgrades, consistent with new elevator code requirements instituted by the NYC Department of Buildings. Elevator upgrades to buildings on campus have been and will continue to take place over the course of the next few years to comply with the new regulations.

Schermerhorn Ext.

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Schermerhorn Hall

Renovation of the accessible entrance ramp located inside of the vestibule, including the reduction of the ramp slope to provide easier access, and installation of new brass railings that match campus architecture.

Wallach Hall

Renovation of the accessible entrance ramp to make it wider and more accessible, as well as the installation of new brick pavers, granite steps, and handrails.

Upgrade of the fire alarm system, including the installation and inspection of all devices.

Façade cleaning of building entrance and stone façade.

Wien Hall

Elevator modernization upgrades, consistent with new elevator code requirements instituted by the NYC Department of Buildings. Elevator upgrades to buildings on campus have been and will continue to take place over the course of the next few years to comply with the new regulations.

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

600 W. 125th Street

Construction of a new 34-story residential apartment for graduate students and faculty with retail space on the ground floor.

611 W. 112th Street

Interior and exterior renovation of the building to create housing for undergraduate students.

Broadway Hall

Partial replacement of the existing roof.

Casa Italiana

Historic roof replacement and repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program. The project includes working closely with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure the replacement roof is a suitable historical match.

Chandler Hall 200, 300, and 500 Levels

Gut-renovation of existing wet labs for chemistry research.

Jerome Greene Hall

Building-wide replacement of the existing fire alarm system with a new state-of-the-art system and the installation of new sprinkler systems.

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program.

Kent Hall

Installation of fire suppression technology throughout the building through the end of 2023 - all Kent occupants have been relocated to Uris during this time.

Replacement of windows on the east and north end of the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. Restoration of the stained-glass window on the east side of the building.

Northwest Corner Building 1100 Level

Gut-renovation of a lab with specialized equipment and environmental criteria for physics research.

Pupin Hall 1000 Level and Nevis Campus

Renovation of wet lab space in Pupin with a new Clean Room and equipment space at Nevis Laboratories.

Schermerhorn Ext. 800 Level

Renovation of existing space to create a general wet lab for teaching and research.

Studebaker Building

Repairs to the façade in accordance with the NYC Department of Building's Façade Inspection and Safety Program and replacement of the roof.

Watt Hall

Full replacement of the roof.