Rehabilitate Water Tower, Fountains & Main Fountain Area

October 2012

Background/Overview:

The water tower and main fountain area, located within the Podium of the Uptown campus, are not only central, architectural elements to the campus but the 248 foot tall tower includes a 311,000 gallon water tank in it that provides both water volume and pressure for the domestic, sprinkler, and standpipe systems for all Uptown buildings, most notably the 24 story residence towers.

Each of these campus features – constructed in the mid-1960s – functions today with very few modifications from their original construction and are in need of a major renovation to ensure their continued operation. The pumps, pipes, fixtures, and mechanical systems have numerous leaks and issues which require constant attention and repair. The lighting systems at both the main fountain and the Campus Center fountain are problematic, consume a disproportionate amount of energy, and do not serve their intended function. Additionally, the windows that surround the main fountain at the Lecture Center Level are inefficient single pane glass with steel framing which is rusted and deteriorated in places.

As part of the overall architecture of the Academic Podium, and one of the identifying elements of the University at Albany, the water tower and fountain areas (both the main fountain and the Campus Center fountain) should be preserved. Through extensive study, numerous deficiencies have been identified and a major repair and upgrade project has commenced in May 2012 to renovate and enhance these central features of the campus, preserving their function, and creating a more dynamic and welcoming “sense of place”.

Scope:

This project will completely renovate the main fountain and water tower area as well as the Campus Center fountain.

The water tower work will include the removal of any corrosion and the reinforcement of any deficient structural elements. New water proof coatings will be applied to the interior and exterior of the water tank and structural system and the tank’s heating system, which protects water from freezing, will be replaced and updated to modern standards. The tower exterior will be cleaned and re-surfaced to its original condition. A new speaker system will be installed in the Carillon; and the tower’s iconic lighting will be upgraded to an energy efficient, LED lighting technology, saving energy and adding a new special event light-color feature to the campus.

The main fountain work area work is extensive and addresses all known deferred maintenance deficiencies in this location, taking advantage of the economies of scale of combining work and minimizing the duration and frequency of disruption to campus life if such work were to be scheduled in some other multi-phased approach. More specifically, the main fountain area work will include replacement of the deteriorating stairs leading from the Podium deck to the fountain area; replacement of the single-pane, inefficient, and corroding windows around the Lecture Center concourse with a new energy efficient curtain wall system; and demolition of the fountain deck and the fountain’s mechanical , electrical, and plumbing infrastructure. The replacement fountain (and systems) will be more energy and water efficient, require less annual maintenance, and will revitalize the center of the campus.

Improvements to the fountain are depicted in the renderings, but the intent is to create an attractive four season location with the addition of selected trees, gardens, and landscaping, LED lighting in the base of the fountain, and a new, more interactive center element with seating area(s).

The following are estimated dates and activities scheduled for construction:

The project construction is on-going. Temporary staging and the construction barriers to define the contractor’s access route have been completed. The temporary elevated piping supports werecompleted in July. The temporary piping is needed for the contractor’s abatement, sandblasting, painting and concrete pumping construction activities.

The promenade level perimeter planters demolition and abatement has been completed. The construction activities to rebuild/reconfigure the planters are continuing.

A majority of the main fountain plaza and fountain basin have been demolished. The only portions that are remaining are the areas under the tower scaffolding and the contractor’s site access ramp.

After completion of some unanticipated underground work, the center fountain foundations have now been poured. The fountain piping has started and is on-going.

The northern stairconstruction is proceeding with rebar and concrete form work. The stairs were poured last week and the forms are to be removed this week. The southern stair work will begin soon.

Tower scaffolding, sound attenuation blankets and the abatement containment were completed in July. A majority of the sandblasting has been completed. Upon discovery of some unanticipated internal tank conditionsadditional welding repair work is needed to be performed. Once the welding repairs are completed some additional sandblasting will need to be done.

Mechanical and Electrical demolition in the pump rooms was completed.Work continues for the new pumps, equipment and piping. Exterior electrical lighting work has begun.

Campus Center fountain demolition and abatement work is completed. Work continues to complete the podium deck water proofing and podium deck pavers. Fountain lighting and mechanical piping work is in progress.

For general questions regarding project schedule and scope, please contact John Baldwin, in Facilities at 442-3426.

Project Renderings\Photos:

(Click the picture for a printable version.)

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  Construction Barriers

  

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  Construction Fencing

  

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  Lecture Center single pane, rusting windows to be replaced

  

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  Exterior stairs to main fountain – structural issues addressed in project

  

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  View looking down from tower – rusting conditions to be resurfaced and restored

  

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  Additional view looking down from tower – rusting conditions to be resurfaced and restored

  

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  Additional view looking down from tower – rusting conditions to be resurfaced and restored

  

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  Pump room for main fountain to be upgraded

  

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  SUNY Fountain Night View 01

  

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  SUNY Fountain Night View 02

  

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  SUNY Fountain Night View 03

  

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  SUNY Fountain Night View 04

  

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  SUNY Fountain View 01

  

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  SUNY Fountain View 02

  

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  SUNY Fountain View 03

  

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  SUNY Fountain View 04

  

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  SUNY Fountain View Top

  

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  SUNY Fountain Winter View 01

  

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  SUNY Fountain Winter View 02

  

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  SUNY Fountain Winter View 03

  

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  Contractor Access Ramp to Main Fountain Plaza for removal and installation of materials

  

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  Contractor Access Route & “orange” Barriers to separate contractor traffic from pedestrian traffic

  

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  Campus Center fountain pavers demolition in progress

  

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  Staging Area - Elevated temporary piping is needed for abatement, sandblasting, painting and concrete pumping construction activities

  

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  Podium - Elevated temporary piping is needed for abatement, sandblasting, painting and concrete pumping construction activities

  

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  Tower scaffolding and sound blanket installation. Light grey sound blankets have additional reinforcing for wind loading

  

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  Concrete forming for the new main fountain planters

  

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  Pump room piping demolition underway

  

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  Contractors performing promenade planter bed demolition

  

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  Tower scaffolding and sound blanket installation

  

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  Campus Center Fountain construction continues

  

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  Campus Center Fountain Waterproofing materials

  

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  Main Fountain and Northern Stair Work

  

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  Main Fountain Plaza

  

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  Pump room construction

  

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  Tower Base and Equipment

  

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  Tower scaffolding and sound blanket installed

  

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  Campus Center Fountain construction continues

  

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  Campus Center Fountain paver construction continues

  

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  Main Fountain and Northern Stair Work

  

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  Main Fountain Plaza

  

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  Pump room construction

  

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  Water tank internal repairs

  

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  Water Tower