Syracuse University students returned this week to a campus in transition. The changes include a new dorm building, classroom facilities and an athletic center. The Daily Orange takes a look at the six latest projects – totaling $255.5 million – currently in the works at SU.

Project: Life Sciences Complex

Broke Ground: April 2006

Expected Completion Date: August 2008, with ongoing landscape work outside the building

At a Glance: At 230,000 square feet, this complex is the university’s largest and most expensive construction project. Its five stories consist of classrooms, auditoriums and research labs for the biology, chemistry and biochemistry departments. A dedication ceremony is set for Nov. 7.

Detours: None

Cost: $107 million

Fun Fact: The roof of the building features two research greenhouses.

Project: Slocum Hall (School of Architecture)

Broke Ground: Renovations began January 2007

Expected Completion Date: August 2008

At a Glance: The architecture program moves back to its original location after three semesters at The Warehouse in downtown Armory Square. Renovations were completed this summer and rededication activities are set for Sept. 18-20.

Detours: None

Cost: $19 million

Fun Fact: Its 125-person auditorium floats above a lower-level gallery.

Project: Center of Excellence Headquarters

Broke Ground: Spring 2006

Expected Completion Date: Summer 2009

At a Glance: The engineering research building is set on the corner of downtown’s East Washington and Almond streets. The facility, of which only the steel frame is completed, will house a lab for indoor environmental quality testing and a 250-foot tower for measuring outdoor air quality. SU students and faculty will have access to the center, which is a joint venture with schools such as Colgate University, Cornell University and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Detours: None

Cost: $31.5 million

Fun Fact: Where the building stands is the former site of a factory, making it a designated brownfield (potentially contaminated land). Builders had to be particularly careful of how they excavated the area.

Project: 619 Comstock Ave. Residence Hall

Broke Ground: March 2008

Expected Completion Date: August 2009

At a Glance: The nine-floor residence hall will be available for the Fall 2009 semester, and is set to house 250 first-year students and upperclassmen. The building is composed of single and double rooms, and each floor will have a lounge, laundry room and kitchen.

Detours: Sidewalks directly lining the building – on Comstock Avenue, University Place and Waverly Avenue – will be closed the entire year.

Cost: $54 million

Fun Fact: An open-glass fitness room sits on a mezzanine level above a double-decker dining center.

Project: Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center

Broke Ground: August 2008

Expected Completion Date: Fall 2009

At a Glance: The center will include two basketball courts for use by the men’s and women’s programs, coaches offices, locker rooms, a weight training area and a therapy center for injured players. The building will sit to the north of Manley Field House, between the Comstock Art Facility and the Roy Simmons Sr. Coaches Wing.

Detours: A fence will surround the construction area, blocking off the north side entrance to Manley Field House. The fence will also limit access to the Comstock Art Facility.

Cost: $19 million

Fun Fact: Carmelo Anthony, of Denver Nuggets fame, donated $3 million for the project. He attended an official groundbreaking ceremony last September, although actual construction began 11 months later.

Project: South Campus Apartment Complex

Broke Ground: August 2008

Expected Completion Date: Fall 2009

At a Glance: The complex, including 120 two- and four-bedroom apartments, will be available to 432 upperclassmen for the Fall 2009 semester. A clubhouse for residents will have a movie theater, study rooms and a fitness center. The apartments are set along East Colvin Street by Slocum Drive.

Detours: None

Cost: $25 million

Fun Fact: The Sherman Park Neighborhood Association, a collection of area residents living closest to the complex, opposed the project. Members voiced their concerns at community meetings held before the Syracuse city planning commission approved the project June 9.

shmelike@syr.edu

Published on August 25, 2008 at 12:00 pm