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Syracuse University’s Campus Planning, Design and Construction office announced it will host a virtual information session surrounding the status of its ongoing campus construction efforts, such as the university’s JMA Wireless Dome Transformation Project, according to a Monday news release.

The meeting, which is open to all university community members, will feature several members of the CPDC office and Peter Sala, SU’s vice president and chief facilities officer.

The infrastructural updates are part of SU’s Campus Framework, the university’s 20-year long roadmap including renovations to campus infrastructure, according to its website.

Monday’s news release summarized the current status of the campus infrastructure projects, some of which include a tentative completion time that will also be discussed during the upcoming meeting.

The Daily Orange outlined the key construction projects SU plans to continue over summer break.

Dome Transformation Project

SU is in the midst of “phase two” of its multi-year, over $100 million Dome Transformation Project, which was first announced in May 2018 as part of the broader Campus Framework.

In 2022, the university announced additional changes to the Dome, such as the removal of Carrier from its name, the plan to replace the stadium’s bleacher seating with chairback seats and the construction of the Miron Victory Court — “​​an enclosed pedestrian concourse that will physically connect the stadium and the Barnes Center at The Arch,” according to the release.

The university has already begun construction for the reseating and will complete the project by the upcoming 2024 football season, the release states. SU also expects the Miron Victory Court to be finished “later in the fall.”

Esports gaming facility

SU is building two gaming rooms in its Schine Student Center and its Marley Education Center, the first being a “world-class” venue for esports competitions and the second a “recreational gaming venue,” according to a January 2023 message from Chancellor Kent Syverud. The new facilities will be built in addition to SU’s existing Esports Room, located in SU’s Barnes Center at The Arch.

Construction at Schine has been underway since August. At the start of the fall 2023 semester, Jeff Rubin — Syverud’s special advisor on digital transformation — said the university hopes to have the esports venue open and operating by the 2024-25 academic year.

The Schine esports room is “scheduled for completion” in the upcoming fall 2024 semester, according to the Monday release.

“This cutting-edge, 5,600-square-foot esports facility will include 35 gaming consoles, a 10-person stage for competitions, virtual reality gaming and traditional analog gaming areas,” the release states.

Housing strategic plan

In November 2023, the university announced it would convert 801 University Ave., currently the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, into a residence hall for second-year undergraduate students. A month later, SU revealed its plans to do the same to 727 S. Crouse Ave., formerly known as The Marshall.

Both buildings will house undergraduate students in the upcoming fall semester, the release states.

The university plans to make several “upgrades” to 727 South Crouse before the fall move-in period, including the addition of an upgraded wireless network.

SU also anticipates a “two-summer renovation” project for 801 University Ave.

“(The renovations) will transform the building from a hotel into a vibrant, modern residence hall with floor lounges, study rooms, laundry, in-room private bathrooms and air-conditioning,” the release states.

SU also plans to update some of its existing residence halls. According to the release, the university will continue to renovate Watson Hall in the summer, changing the remainder of its communal bathrooms into private and accessible bathroom units.

The conversions are part of SU’s strategic housing plan, which aims to improve, modernize and increase Main Campus housing options for undergraduates.

On Feb. 26, the university announced plans to build two new, modern student housing units — one on an empty Ostrom Avenue lot and the other where Kimmel and Marion Halls currently stand. The university plans to demolish Kimmel and Marion to construct one of the new residence halls.

Renovation of STEM facilities

In April 2022, SU initiated a multi-phase renovation project at Link Hall, which houses the university’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. One of the most significant changes to Link will be the addition of the Allyn Innovation Center, per Monday’s release.

According to the release, construction on the Allyn Innovation Center will “come to a close” in the summer, bringing in phase two of the renovations.

SU plans to establish a new Quantum Technology Center in its Physics Building, the release states. The project plans to convert an entire floor of the building into “modern research laboratories” and update existing building systems.

SU is also installing a new generator in its Heroy Geology Building over the summer to “serve the whole building and support vital research.”

The news release did not provide a timeline for the Campos Student Center — a proposed new, $2.15 million center housed on the second floor of the Center for Science and Technology.

Increased investment in STEM programs at SU was originally outlined in the university’s five-year Academic Strategic Plan. The initiative was expedited, however, following the announcement of Micron Technology’s more than $100 billion commitment to construct a new semiconductor fabrication facility in central New York.

SU and Micron have formed an “academic partnership,” Mike Haynie — SU’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation — previously told The D.O. SU’s increased investment in STEM aims to contribute to workforce development for the upcoming plant.

South Campus

During a March 20 University Senate meeting, Syverud reiterated the university’s goals to gradually phase out the number of undergraduate students living on South Campus. The plan is also part of SU’s broader strategic housing plan.

Over the summer, the university plans to begin construction on a new South Campus recreation field, which will be located next to SU’s Skytop Field, according to the release. The venue aims to accommodate intramural and club sports.

“The new natural grass field … will be regulation size for soccer and rugby,” the release states.

SU’s School of Architecture will also start to retrofit a South Campus apartment along Lambreth Lane to make it more energy-efficient, according to the release. A team of SU architecture students initiated the project after receiving a $5 million award from the United States Department of Energy.

Additional projects

• The university is making efforts to “steam line” relocations associated with the city of Syracuse’s ongoing Interstate 81 viaduct project. The state received permission to proceed with the demolition of I-81 after the recent overturning of a lawsuit against the project.
• SU plans to begin a “major renovation” to the academic space within the Nancy Cantor Warehouse over the summer.
• The university will consolidate the entire psychology department into the Marley Education Center, according to the release. SU will begin the process in the summer to have it completed for the fall semester.
• SU is overseeing several “utility construction” projects, including improvements to electrical services in Huntington Beard Crouse, Sadler and Lawrinson Halls.

The information session will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. over Zoom, the release states. CPDC will publish the presentation slides along with campus maps of the changes after the meeting concludes, according to the release.

Published on April 30, 2024 at 1:26 am

Contact Julia: jmboehni@syr.edu