Barnard Builds

Noise Impact Scale 

To help you gauge the expected noise levels and better prepare members of our community for what to expect, we’ve provided a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the quietest and 5 being loud and potentially disruptive:

1 out of 5: Quiet, typical indoor construction, minimally heard from outside the area of work.
2 out of 5: Noticeable but not very disruptive (e.g., an engine whirring intermittently).
3 out of 5: Moderate noise (e.g., periodic hammering with hand tools).
4 out of 5: Louder, more significant noise impact (e.g., emptying dumpsters/dump trucks collecting material).
5 out of 5: Loud (e.g., jackhammer operating on concrete or rock). 

The following construction work has been scheduled for April 17 through April 24.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center

• Weekend Work:
  • On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., workers will arrive at 8 a.m. There will be interior work and exterior facade work along Claremont Avenue. Aerial lift and alarms will be in use during this time. Anticipated noise impact is 4 out of 5.
• Weekday Work:
  • Standard work hours are 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Interior Work: will extend from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Anticipated noise impact is 3 out of 5.
  • Fire Alarm: Pre-testing of the fire alarm system is ongoing and alarms will be going off intermittently throughout the day. Anticipated noise impact is 3 out of 5.
  • Concrete Work: Concrete trucks, pumps, and machinery will continue to operate on Claremont Avenue. Interior jackhammering will also continue. Anticipated noise impact is 4 out of 5.
  • Street Level Exterior Wall and Canopy Installation: Work includes installation of facade panels. Anticipated noise impact is 4 out of 5.
  • Demolition and Debris Removal: Noise from debris removal may peak at 3 out of 5 at times but will generally remain lower throughout the day. Anticipated noise impact is 3 out of 5.
  • Gateway Excavation: Soil removals will be taking place between Milbank and RDSC on West 119th Street within the construction site. Anticipated noise impact is 3 out of 5.
• Milstein and Diana:
  • The Lower Level tunnel will be closed Saturday, April 18th, and April 25th, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Signage will be posted. Anticipated noise impact is 4 out of 5.

600 West 116th Street

• Exterior Façade Repairs: As part of required compliance with New York City Local Law 11, 600 West 116th Street is undergoing exterior façade repair and restoration work.
  • Removal of existing stone pieces is scheduled through April. Anticipated noise impact is 5 out of 5.
  • Work hours are weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with loud activities starting after 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
  • Windows & Air Conditioners: Residents are advised to keep windows closed and protective plastic in place at all times to minimize dust. Existing window air conditioners have been wrapped on the outside with blue-colored filters to minimize dust. Air conditioners can be turned on with the added filters in place. Please keep blinds drawn during work hours to maintain privacy.

Campus Exterior

• Cooling & Heating Improvement Project:
  • Excavation activities have begun within a tree pit on the plaza between the Vagelos Alumnae Center and Barnard Hall. Trees and shrubs have been protected and will be replanted after the completion of the work by early next week. Anticipated noise impact is 3 out of 5.
  • Work for the installation of a temporary chiller for campus cooling has commenced and installation for a new sidewalk enclosure on Broadway, next to Diana Center, is complete. The enclosure will remain in place until mid-October.

Please note that this update focuses on construction activities that affect the wider college community. For projects smaller in scope, updates are shared directly with the people impacted.

We apologize for any inconvenience and assure you that we are doing our best to mitigate these disruptions. If you experience excessive noise due to construction during regular working hours (Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.) the fastest way to reach us is by email at barnardbuilds@barnard.edu. For concerns outside of this time, please call Barnard CARES at (212) 854-3362 and press #9. If you have any questions at all, please contact barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.

Barnard College’s Office of Capital Projects oversees all construction projects on campus under the Barnard Builds umbrella. Led by the Capital Projects Division, the staff oversees new construction projects, renovations, and major repair and replacement projects for all campus buildings. The Capital Projects team manages outside vendors and consultants, including architects, construction managers or contractors for major construction projects. Email Barnard Builds with questions or concerns.

The projects operate in compliance with health and safety guidelines from the New York City Department of Buildings, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Transportation. The site logistics and flow of foot and vehicle traffic have been reviewed by the Department of Transportation and changed at the direction of that agency.