Rehabilitate Water Tower, Fountains & Main Fountain Area

April 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 will commence 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 has begun with the contractor setting up their staging and construction areas. Construction barriers to define the contractors access route between the main fountain and their staging area has started to be installed and will continue through next week.

See attached link to the staging / construction plan: pdf here

Tower scaffolding and the Lecture Center Concourse construction barrier wall is expected to begin within the next two weeks.

There will be other minor non-disruptive construction activities between now and Commencement (such as planter plant and soil removal). Particularly noisy work, such as the main fountain and plaza demolition, as well as the tower sand blasting will not occur until after Commencement weekend.

For general questions regarding project schedule and scope, please contact John Baldwin, in Facilities at 442-3434.

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