The day after commencement, Columbia began its largest summer construction season in recent years. By summer's end 17 campus buildings will be significantly upgraded. The work, estimated at $45 million, represents the bulk of Columbia's annual building upgrades, classroom repairs and other extensive campus renovation projects currently underway. While projects are contained and disruption to faculty, staff and summer students is kept at a minimum, there are a few areas on campus that may experience some construction-related congestion and others that will reveal work in progress. For details regarding the scope of summer construction and a map of the areas affected, click here.

"We approach the summer months as an opportunity to complete many smaller projects and intensify large project work while the campus is less active. We always do our best to minimize disruption and displacement because peak season construction and major projects can impact so many people both off and on campus," said Mark Burstein, vice president for facilities management.

"This summer, we are working to ensure that normal campus operations are not disrupted, but there are a number of projects that could affect people traveling around campus or at its perimeter and others who are planning outdoor events. The purpose of the campus map was to assist faculty and staff in navigating the campus while this work is happening around them and I think it helps put the whole summer program in perspective."

The summer push begins at the gates of College Walk. After 31 years welcoming students and guests to Columbia, the 116th Street wrought iron Delacorte Gates at Broadway and Amsterdam, a gift of Columbia alumnus George T. Delacorte Jr. (CC '13) have been removed for repair and repainted. Temporary wooden gates are replacing them during the two-month restoration project, but 24-hour access to campus will be maintained.

Construction around key buildings, including delivery of materials could moderately affect campus pedestrian traffic. The walkway between Lerner Hall and Journalism, in front of Furnald and a stretch of walkway in front of Butler will be closed during which time concrete will be replaced with brick. While waterproofing and restoration work at Kent plaza has closed off most of the area in front of Kent, a path to the building is being maintained. The walkways to the west of Hamilton Hall and to the left of the entrance will be obstructed until mid-August as work on the drainage system and repairs to the walkway begin. The building's multi-phase renovation project will continue over the summer.

Those considering locations for outdoor summer events should consider lawns in front of Lewisohn, Mathematics and Hamilton. Furnald lawn will be under construction through mid-August and Schermerhorn and Van Amringe Plazas might be unavailable during certain periods this summer because of construction.

Parking in two east campus locations will also be affected. A small number of parking spaces at 116th and Amsterdam will be unavailable due to ongoing classroom construction at Jerome Greene Hall (parking lots in front of the building). Similarly, a stretch of parking on 118th will be closed to provide loading and unloading of materials as construction begins on the Institute of Social and Economic Research Policy and the Language Resource Center space under East Campus plaza.

Contact Lia Gartner, assistant vice president for facilities design and construction at 854-5772 or Mark Burstein at 854-3291 for additional information regarding summer construction.