Across campus, students are struggling to get used to the sounds of building, fencing and detours, while construction projects show no signs of stopping.
Construction projects will be an ongoing occurrence. The need for maintenance and to repair outdated facilities is frequent due to the size of campus. New designs and upgrades combat the aging infrastructure and evolving program needs of the community. As older projects come to a close, a path for new projects opens up.
“Some are necessary due to maintenance and repair needs, others are more involved upgrades that serve program needs for students and academics,” said Megan Smailer, Director of Design and Construction in Facilities Management.
Necessary projects include roof and window replacements, bathroom renovations and road or sidewalk repairs. Projects focused on cultivating student and academic needs include renovations of the Student Union spaces, the Engineering Innovation Hub for Mechanical Engineering and residence hall improvements.
There are currently 25 projects in design, 22 projects actively in construction and six projects that are already completed. Active projects include a multi-renovation consisting of bathroom replacements, bedroom improvements, an improved sprinkler system for Bliss Hall, an additional floor to accommodate more students in Mohonk Hall and corridor upgrades for Esopus Hall.
Transfer student Journey Fleming believes that the noise can be a distraction and that there are many detours on her route to her science courses. She said one of her classes has construction visible from the windows, obstructing her view every day.
“You just kind of feel tired by seeing the construction. It’s not an enjoyable walk or enjoying nature and views, it’s just fences and cars,” she said.
After the completion of Mohonk Hall, students can expect for construction to end in the residence halls surrounding Peregrine Dining Hall (Mohonk, Shawangunk, Ashokan, Awosting and Minnewaska).
The Sojourner Truth Library courtyard underwent a thorough redesign in order to increase accessibility, improve sustainability and create a more welcoming outdoor space. The area is awaiting benches, and landscaping will begin four to six weeks before winter.
“When my family comes I want to show them around. I don’t want to say ‘you can’t go there, there’s construction’ or ‘I don’t know what’s there, there’s construction’ … I want to show them this campus, I don’t want them to think I’m just surrounded by scaffolding all the time,” said Gabby Montalto, a first-year international relations student.
Montalto said that she is used to being surrounded by construction from her home in New York City. However, she hoped to enjoy the natural scenery New Paltz’s campus had to offer and that construction would be finished by the time she arrived.
Maintenance, aesthetic and equipment upgrades have been made to the elevators in Bliss Hall, Gage Hall, Sojourner Truth Library, Smiley Art Building and the Lecture Center. Pending elevator renovations that are expected to be complete in 2024 or 2025 include those in the Library, the Haggerty Administration Building, Coykendall Science Building and the Student Union Building (SUB).
“In our planning we make every effort to do the most disruptive work during the summer months, when campus has fewer students and staff– though not every project can be completed during that time of year,” said Smailer.
Additional upgrades include the expansion and replacement of the North Turf Field, where improvements are in progress for restrooms and a new press box.
Roof replacements to improve energy efficiency and general maintenance are continuing into the semester at Coykendall Science Building.
Upcoming projects include the remodeling and modernizing of Peregrine Dining Hall to increase energy efficiency, accessibility and food options. The project is still in its design phase while alternative dining options are being discussed. A new lounge space and late night dining venue will be added to the first floor.
The third floor of the SUB will have a multipurpose room and general spaces for clubs. There will be an e-sports venue and an upgraded event space.
“I was honestly pretty upset and disappointed with the campus because I came here, obviously for the education program, but also for the nature and the scenery of the campus. The construction takes away from that,” said Jillian Roberts, a first semester transfer student. While she understands a need for maintaining the structures on campus and improving buildings, she said it’s hard to come to terms with.
College and Shango Hall will be receiving updated systems to reach newly implemented statewide efficiency requirements. The building will shift to focusing on academics with new faculty offices, classrooms and specialty use spaces for the School of Fine and Performing Arts and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The Elting Gym and Pool will undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation to improve athletic offices and recreational spaces. The pool will be fully replaced to meet NCAA guidelines and increase versatility for recreational use and community programs. The diving program will return with the new pool and the swim team will be able to host home meets.
“We recognize that construction can feel disruptive at times and in certain areas of campus, but it all serves an important goal of ensuring students, faculty and staff can safely and effectively do the work they need to do on our campus,” said Smailer.
Stairways at the southwest corner of the Student Union plaza and stairs leading from the Haggerty Administration Building Parking lot past Bouton Hall toward Smiley Art Building will receive upgrades. Residents of Capen Hall recently received an email detailing the construction of the stairway and ramp on the north side of Capen Hall leading to the SUB once the Scudder Hall and Capen Hall stairs are complete.
The email read, “We will have beautiful stairs on both sides of Capen Hall when both projects are done.” Construction will last four weeks from Monday to Friday from roughly 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the latest. The work is not expected to affect exiting from Capen Hall unless using the lower-level north door.
Capen and Gage Hall will also receive bathroom, system and general space renovations.