UAlbany Launches Fountain and Water Tower Renovation Plans

Rehabilitation Necessary for Long-Term Energy and Cost Savings

Albany, N.Y. (December 8, 2011) – To address long-standing critical maintenance and energy consumption concerns, the University at Albany will rehabilitate a central campus locale and create an energy-efficient, four-season area for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Beginning in March 2012, UAlbany will embark on an extensive reconstruction of its main fountain area including the central water tower, Lecture Center windows, exterior stairways, outdoor planters, and Campus Center fountain. Each of these campus features was constructed in the mid-1960s and has not been modified from its original construction.

Most notably, the UAlbany central water tower is a functioning component of the University's life/safety system. Inside the 248' tower is a 311,000-gallon water tank that provides water volume and pressure for the domestic water, sprinkler, and standpipe systems for the entire uptown campus.

Rust on the Water Tower stanchions, built up over four decades of wear, will be removed and the structure reinforced where needed as part of the planned Fountain/Tower renovation.

The extensive project estimated to cost approximately $15 million is expected to be completed in spring 2014. The new design created by Mach Architecture + Engineering included Hicks Stone, the son of UAlbany's original architect, Edward Durrell Stone, as a subconsultant to help preserve the integrity of the original campus design.

"This project will greatly improve the mechanics and aesthetics of the podium area – the heart of our campus," said John Giarrusso, UAlbany Associate VP for Finance and Business. "We look forward to this four-season area becoming a more sustainable, attractive focal point of our campus for the generations."

Upon completion, the energy and maintenance savings from this project are anticipated to be approximately $60,000 per year. The Office of Facilities Management has set up a Rehabilitate Water Tower, Fountains & Main Fountain Area website where the full scope and progressions of the project can be accessed.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds

Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its 17,500 students. An internationally recognized research university with 50 undergraduate majors and 125 graduate degree programs, UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as public policy, nanotechnology and criminal justice. With a curriculum enhanced by 300 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers. For more information about this globally ranked University, visit https://www.albany.edu/. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.shtml.