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South Campus Transformation Continues
The transformation of Rensselaer’s south campus continues as progress is made on several major construction projects and infrastructure improvements, according to Oleh Turczak, Rensselaer’s project manager. The work is part of a planned $255 million package that includes a 218,000-square-foot biotechnology center, a 500-car parking garage, a boiler plant, a chiller plant, electrical substation, an experimental media and performing arts center, and related improvements to campus landscaping and infrastructure.
The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, located on Fifteenth Street near Academy Hall, is more than 30 percent complete, Turczak said. Crews are in the process of enclosing the building and have begun work on internal construction. The atrium skylights are going in and windows be installed beginning in September. The project is on schedule to be completed in fall 2004.
The parking garage, on College Avenue behind Cogswell, is nearly complete. The precast concrete sections have all been erected; brickwork will begin shortly. The garage is schedule to open for the spring ’04 semester. Near the garage, work continues on an underground electrical substation to meet the energy demand of the expanding campus. Concrete foundations have been poured and it is expected to be capped off this fall, Turczak said.
“We are building for the future as we continue working to meet the goals of The Rensselaer Plan. It’s very exciting to see the transformation that’s taking place as the Institute continues its progress toward becoming a leading 21st century technological university.”
— Amr Abdel-Azim —
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Drawings for the experimental media and performing arts center have been submitted to the Troy Planning Commission for site plan approval. The new center will extend the Institute's distinctive position in electronic arts and communication and enhance traditional and classical performing arts. It is expected to open in 2006.
As part of the overall south campus project, Rensselaer is making improvements to College Avenue. Work to the upper portion of the street — including sidewalks, curbs, utilities, and landscaping — has been completed. Work continues on the lower portion of the street, with completion scheduled for early November. Work on the chiller plant, located behind the parking garage, and boiler plant, near the Service Building, continues on schedule. Other infrastructure improvements to campus utilities will continue through the fall.
“We are building for the future as we continue working to meet the goals of The Rensselaer Plan,” said Amr Abdel-Azim, senior executive for capital projects. “It’s very exciting to see the transformation that’s taking place as the Institute continues its progress toward becoming a leading 21st century technological university.”
For more information on the construction progress, go to http://www.rpi.edu/dept/gov/construct/index.html.
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