Dear Barnard Community,
With the start of Fall semester fast approaching, we are writing with an update on the schedule and impacts of the ongoing construction in Barnard Hall. Over the next few weeks, you may notice increased contractor presence and noisy activities in the building as we proceed with the planned summer work for the construction of the Francine A. LeFrak Center for Well-Being:
- Main Lobby: Overhead ceiling and sprinkler work will continue in the main lobby of Barnard Hall through the end of August. The north and south entrance doors will remain available for building access during this time. The Barnard Hall lobby is expected to reopen the week of September 1. Temporary walls along the west side of the lobby will remain in place throughout the Fall semester.
- Milstein Tunnel: Later this week and into the following week, 3-4 days of masonry waterproofing work will occur along the Lower Level corridor leading to Milstein. Temporary protection will be in place around the area of work, and tunnel access between Barnard Hall and Milstein will be maintained at all times. (Note: additional contractor activities and waterproofing work will also be visible during this time at the exterior of the Milstein Center, in the flower beds across from Futter Field.)
- Lower Level at North Elevator: Later this week, excavation and concrete work will commence at the lower level of Barnard Hall adjacent to the north elevator. Our contractor will have mitigation strategies in place, but please expect 3-4 days of heavy noise and potential dust on the lower level as this work is mobilized. North elevator and stair access to the lower level will be closed for at least two weeks, but access through the Milstein tunnel as well as the south elevator and stairs will be maintained throughout.
- North Elevator modifications: Beginning at the end of August or early September, the north elevator will be offline at all levels of the building for approximately 6-7 weeks. The south elevator will remain operational during this time. Additional communications and signage will be posted once the schedule for this work is finalized.
- Plumbing shutdown: A full plumbing shutdown is anticipated for a 6-12 hour duration in the upcoming weeks. The shutdown will impact the use of all bathrooms and plumbing fixtures in Barnard Hall, and is scheduled to take place overnight on either Friday, August 18 or August 25. Water service should be restored mid-day the following day. Additional communications and signage will be posted once the shutdown date is confirmed.
- Upper floors: Demolition, steel, HVAC and partition work will continue on upper floors through the end of August, with the loudest remaining activities anticipated during the week of August 21. Temporary walls on the second, third and fourth floors will be removed by the week of August 28, and access to all impacted offices will be restored by September 1.
- Abatement: Additional scaffolding and abatement work will proceed within construction areas during the week of August 21. As always, the contractor will be following strict safety protocols in accordance with NYC Department of Buildings and Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
- Restrooms: Access to the fourth floor accessible restroom will be restored by September 1. There will be no restroom facilities available on the first floor of Barnard Hall at the start of the Fall semester. A new gender-neutral restroom is expected to be available for use by the end of October/early November 2023.
For additional information on the Barnard construction projects, visit the Barnard Builds website and/or email barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.
Thank you!
Barnard Builds