08/24/2018
SUNY Cortland students returning to campus after summer break are finding that things look a little bit different than they did this spring, thanks to a number of construction projects.
Ongoing improvements include new dining options nearing an opening date in Corey Union, a more accessible sidewalk in front of Memorial Library and an extensive makeover to the exterior of Park Center. The work is part of more than $300 million in renovation and construction projects that have been transforming the physical campus since 2003.
Rob Shutts, director of the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Office, highlighted the following changes:
- Sidewalks in the area between Old Main and the Miller Building were replaced and pavers were added to the ground around the flagpole.
- Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) will open three new restaurants in Corey Union in September. Union Station, a coffee shop, is expected to open on Monday, Aug. 27. Grains & Greens, which will feature salads, sandwiches and vegetarian and vegan options, and Pomodori, an Italian and pizza-focused eatery, will open next month.
- Work is ongoing in the area between Memorial Library and Cornish Hall to replace stairs and regrade a new, more accessible sidewalk. That project is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
- A new skin will be added to the exterior of Park Center, replacing its current brick façade and giving the 50-year-old facility a fresh look. The new skin will be far more insulated and environmentally sustainable than the current façade. This project will be ongoing throughout the 2018-19 academic year.
Other less noticeable — but important — improvements to campus included elevator replacements in Higgins Hall and Clark Hall, renovations of the Service Group building and updates to offices and classrooms across campus.