Rehabilitate Water Tower, Fountains & Main Fountain Area

February 2013

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 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.

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 currently on winter break. Work will resume in March when the contractors remobilize in anticipation of warmer weather. The contractors will re-establish their temporary staging and the construction barriers to define contractor access route to the main fountain.

Campus Center fountain work will continue in March with the final paver cleaning, sealing and waterproofing/coating work activities. Fountain lighting and remaining mechanical work will be finalized followed by the commissioning of the mechanical and electrical systems.

Work on the tower will begin again as well. The massive tower scaffolding and full coverage with sound attenuation blankets were removed in December after internal tank welding repair work, internal tank sandblasting and interior tank final painting was completed. The exterior painting was started but could not be completed due to cold weather conditions. Please note; the Water Tower exterior surfaces are currently just “prime” painted. The final tower exterior painting and coatings will begin in the spring and the tower will return to its white with gold accent ribs look. Workers will be using swing scaffolding to complete the final painting.

A majority of the main fountain plaza and fountain basin foundation work has been completed. The only remaining area to be completed is where the tower scaffolding was located. This remaining work will be completed in the spring. Once completed, the Fountain/Plaza paver installation and waterproofing/coating work will begin.

The center fountain foundations were completed. Exterior piping work will start in late spring. The northern and southern stairs foundations and structure have been poured. The remaining reconstruction work, including treads and railings, will begin next summer.

The Lecture Center Curtain window wall replacement work is anticipated to begin in March and be on-going through September.

The Main Fountain promenade level perimeter planters construction activities to rebuild/reconfigure the planters will continue in spring. Landscaping will be installed as sections of the planters are completed.

A large portion of the mechanical and electrical work was completed in the below deck mechanical rooms. The remaining mechanical and electrical work will continue to complete the new pumps, equipment and piping. Exterior electrical lighting work will begin next summer.

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

  

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  Campus Center Pump room

  

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  Main Fountain and Northern Stair Work

  

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  Main Fountain Foundation

  

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  Main Fountain Pump room

  

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  Water Tower Prime Painted