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Features: Feb. 25, 2002
Campus Construction Project Passes Another
Milestone
The $255 million transformation
of the Institute's south campus
moved a giant step forward Thursday, Feb. 21, when the Troy
City Planning Commission formally closed the State Environmental
Quality Review (SEQR) process for the project.
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Concept drawing of center
for biotechnology and interdisciplinary studies:
Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates / Bohlin Cywinski
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The project includes construction of a center
for biotechnology and interdisciplinary studies, a parking
garage, an experimental media and performing arts center,
a boiler plant, a chiller facility, and an electric
substation.
The Planning Commission adopted the City's
Findings Statement, which detailed what actions Rensselaer
would be required to take to mitigate possible environmental
impacts created by the extensive construction project. These
actions would be in addition to those described in the Institute's
Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS).
Among the required actions are:
- make improvements to College Avenue
- improve select city intersections to
enhance pedestrian safety
- create a shuttle bus system to facilitate
campus parking at the Houston Field House
- improve infrastructure for storm water
management
- prohibit external construction activity
between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and
all day Sunday and designated holidays
- shuttle construction workers to and from
off-campus parking lots
- use "astronomy-friendly" illumination
to minimize light pollution
- work closely with the city and neighborhood
associations to reduce Rensselaer's impact on parking
along neighborhood streets
Because the Institute's GEIS does not include
detailed drawings of all buildings to be constructed, the
Planning Commission will later take action on the specific
site plans.
The complete Findings Statement is available
for review at City Hall and at Rensselaer's Service Building.
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