After much anticipation, the final phase of renovations to the College of Human Ecology’s Martha Van Rensselaer Hall (MVR) will begin this summer. The project was bid in March through the New York State bidding process, and the contract was awarded to Andrew R. Mancini Associates, Inc. At $32 million, the construction value is well within budget. Site mobilization will begin in June with construction underway in August.

This project is the final phase of a complete renovation of MVR. The building was built in 1931, and most major building systems have been untouched since that time. MVR will see repairs to the building envelope, upgrades to building utility and infrastructure systems as well as improvements in connectivity, circulation, space layout, and functionality.

In preparation, faculty and staff in the affected area will be relocated from their MVR offices over the summer. As students return and classes begin in August, Human Ecology classes will be held in other locations throughout campus.

Though there are understandable concerns about disruptions and inconveniences for students, faculty and staff during the construction phase, there is also much enthusiasm about the final product. “The environment they will work in will be much improved,” said Kristie Mahoney, Director of Facilities and Operations at the College. “We’re going to modernize a classic 1933 building… and everyone is sharing an excitement over the outcome.”

The project is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold status or better, which is what has been achieved in all previous phases. There is no significant added cost to the project for this. The LEED baseline that the University already requires is close to a gold rating, and the design decisions that were made for the MVR building will take it the rest of the way.

Construction will continue on MVR Hall throughout 2019, with a completion goal of May 2020. By summer 2020, faculty will return to the building and students will be active in the space that fall.

With the news that the contract has been awarded, those in the Human Ecology community can begin to make plans and re-envision their new spaces as the construction process gets underway.