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Barnard Builds

This is a time of historic momentum for Barnard College as it continues to build on its excellence through a variety of initiatives. Continuing to expand, renovate, and improve the College’s buildings and facilities remains a strong focus. 

Building Work Hours:

Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Work after 6 p.m. is not intended, but should it be required at certain stages of the projects, it can and will only be conducted with an approved After Hours Variance permit from the Department of Buildings. These activities will be communicated well in advance.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA Access to Milbank Hall has changed, moving to the Toddler Center door on Broadway and 120th Street for the duration of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center project. At times, the 119th Street gate will also be open so that those traveling north or south on campus may use the sidewalk on Broadway as another alternative to the steps between Milbank and the Diana Center. When closed, those seeking ADA access can contact a CARES Community Safety Officer (212-854-3362) for support.

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). 

Look Ahead - What to Expect This Week

Weekend work has been scheduled for the following dates in the coming two weeks:

  • Saturday, March 22

  • Saturday, March 29

Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center)

  • Crane Lift: Major crane lifts are scheduled for the weekends of April 5-6 and April 12-13. Crane operations are permitted only on weekends and are subject to strict weather and wind conditions. If there are unforeseen delays, the crane lifts will be rescheduled for the following weekends until both lifts are completed. We will alert you if changes in plans are needed.
    • Claremont Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from West 116th Street to West 120th Street to accommodate the crane’s size and ensure safe operation.
    • There will be no parking on both sides of Claremont Avenue between West 116th and West 120th Streets over the weekends. Department of Transportation signage will be posted.
    • The West side of Claremont Avenue remains open for pedestrians, and all building entrances will remain accessible for pedestrians. Flaggers will be in place to direct and guide pedestrians.
    • Delivery Impacts: Small deliveries can be hand-trucked to the buildings. Large deliveries will need to be rescheduled.
    • In preparation for the crane assembly, the construction site’s sidewalk shed on Claremont Avenue will be disassembled starting 3/31. The construction site will be secured by barricades until both crane lifts are completed. Anticipated noise impact during sidewalk shed disassembly is 4 out of 5.
    • Sequence of crane activities:
      • Saturday, 12 midnight - 10 a.m. Crane Assembly 
      • Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Picking and Lifting
      • Sunday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Picking and Lifting
      • Sunday 5 p.m. -12 midnight Crane Disassembly
      • Anticipated noise impact during crane assembly/disassembly is 2 out of 5, and during picking and lifting is 3 out of 5 for the required safety horn.
    • Parking or Street Impacts: Periodic, brief traffic stoppages are expected for construction vehicles backing into the dock area. Flaggers will assist with both vehicle and pedestrian safety.
  • Noisy Work:
    • Foundation and Concrete Work: Concrete trucks, pumps, and machinery will continue to operate on Claremont Avenue. Interior jackhammering is continuing. Anticipated noise impact is 5 out of 5.
    • Demolition and Debris Removal: Noise from debris removal may peak at 5 out of 5 at times but will generally remain lower throughout the day. Anticipated noise impact is 5 out of 5.
    • Exterior Wall Installation: Periodic horns when a mini-crane lifts exterior panels within the construction area. Anticipated noise impact is 2 out of 5.

If you are a member of the Barnard College on-campus community and have questions about specific campus impacts, please reference the Barnard Builds newsletter or email barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.

Overview

View from entrance of Milbank in the spring

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.

Construction Projects

For more information, email barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.
For noise-related inquiries or other impact reports, call (212) 854-3362.