Construction has begun to replace outdated utilities in the Rockwell Quad.
Workers are replacing the sanitary, storm drainage, water lines and gas lines for several
buildings in the surrounding area. This includes the college’s five original buildings:
Rockwell, Bacon and Ketchum halls, the Donald Savage Theater Building and Campus
House.
Buffalo State has contracted with LaBella Associates, PC, to do the project for
$11.2 million. LaBella is a private contracting company based out of Ithaca.
Engineering Manager Dan Herr said the college has decided to have the utilities replaced
because they are very old, in some cases dating back to the late 1920s.
“In some instances the piping in this area, due to its age, has sections that are broken
and collapsed,” Herr said. “These conditions have led to water line breaks, toilet rooms
being shut down for repairs and some sewer backups into buildings. The renovation and
replacement of the these systems will minimize any future disturbances to the students.”
“The infrastructure is basically falling apart and we wanted to make sure we do
something before it becomes a major problem,” said Assistant Design and Construction
Coordinator Brian Wittmer.
Wittmer said the project will affect a 6 1/2 acre area on the east side of campus. Fences
are currently up around the construction area to block off access. When the semester
starts, the facilities management will be maintaining the sidewalk around the work area
so students will still be able to get to their classes uninterrupted.
“We have had several planned and unplanned shut downs since the contractor began
work in May,” said Engineering Manager Dan Herr. “For these shutdowns, we had made
individuals aware of these disturbances through either posting in the Daily Bulletin,
campus-wide emails or signage inside the affected buildings. Throughout the summer,
as additional anticipated shutdowns are needed, we will continue to make the campus
community aware of these activities.”
Currently, Herr said no utilities are shut down and no shut downs are planned for the
upcoming academic year.
“Work is progressing well. We’re on schedule and we’re within the budget,” Wittmer
said. “We’re trying to get the majority of the disruptive work done this summer before the
fall semester starts.”
Wittmer said the renovations were designed as a two-summer project. Construction will
halt for the upcoming winter months while the ground freezes and pick back up next
spring. The renovations are set to last until December of 2013.
Brian Alexander can be reached by email at alexander.record@live.com.