Construction Updates/FAQs

Last updated August 2, 2023

LATEST UPDATES

• Construction on Nobel Hall is on schedule. Existing underground utilities are being relocated and excavation for the building’s foundation is underway.  
• Siena is continuing to comply with regulations that all construction vehicles enter campus via Route 9 or Spring Street Road. Delivery and operational vehicles are still permitted to enter campus via Fiddlers Lane. (See below under “Traffic.”)
• The sidewalk from MacCloskey Townhouses to the academic quad will be reopened prior to the start of classes on September 5. 
• There were some unforeseen conditions related to the soil and underground utilities that have impacted work on Lot F. The parking lot will be operational by August 29, with parking spaces, key sidewalks and signage in place. Additional work items such as landscaping, remaining sidewalk areas and signage will be completed shortly thereafter.

Timeline/General

What is the rough timeline for the entire science complex project?

Phase 1 of the project – the construction of Nobel Hall - is expected to be complete by the end of 2024, in time for the spring 2025 semester.  

Phase 2 of the project will feature upgrades to the existing Roger Bacon Hall. Design will begin later this summer and will run through mid-2024. Phase 2 construction is targeted for the summers of 2025 and 2026.

Any construction timeline is subject to change due to a number of factors. We will provide regular updates on this webpage throughout the project.

What are the planned hours and days for construction work?

Construction hours will be Monday through Friday from 7AM to 5PM. There will also be some work that takes place on Saturdays. This schedule is subject to adjustment as the need arises. 

Traffic

What campus entrances/exits will be used by construction vehicles?

Construction vehicles related to this project will not use Fiddlers Lane. Depending on which part of campus they need to access for work, vehicles are permitted by the Town of Colonie to use: 

• Main campus entrance off Route 9/Loudon Road
• Main campus exit onto Route 9/Loudon Road
• Turchi Road entrance off Spring Street Road
• Spring Street Road to Chapel Road

How will traffic on Route 9 be impacted, especially during morning and late afternoon rush hour?

We will monitor traffic impact throughout the project. Precise traffic flow is difficult to predict due to a number of contributing factors, such as the phase of the project, campus activity, weather, time of year, private residence trash pick up, and more. 

I still see trucks and other construction related vehicles on Fiddlers Lane. I thought they were prohibited?

• Construction vehicles related to Siena’s construction project are required to use the campus entrances/exits listed above. 
• Siena still receives deliveries related to ongoing business from vehicles that are permitted on Fiddlers Lane (e.g., FedEx, UPS, waste removal, etc.)
• Construction vehicles unrelated to work at Siena are not prohibited from traveling on Fiddlers Lane (e.g., Bonded Concrete, trucks going to Steeple View, etc.)
• Siena’s Public Safety team is monitoring the Fiddlers Lane/Middlefield Road campus entrance with a security camera.

Construction

Are there any fumes - from vehicles or building materials - that could prove harmful to humans and pets?

All vehicles that will be used for the project have been inspected and are in compliance with federal and state regulations. All building materials will be installed in compliance with federal and state regulations to protect the construction workers, as well as campus and neighborhood residents. 

What is the expected impact on stormwater flow?

Siena’s comprehensive stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) has already been approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Site visits will be performed weekly to ensure the SWPPP is being followed and that any deficiencies are reported to Gilbane (the project’s general contractor) and immediately remediated. 

After construction, the stormwater that leaves the site will be reduced in volume. 

Is Nobel Hall being sustainably constructed? What are some of the “green” features of the new building that will help protect the environment?

Siena is committed to sustainable construction and operations. We are pleased to share that the new science complex, which includes Nobel Hall and a refurbishment of the existing Roger Bacon Hall, will feature the following elements to help Siena achieve its eventual goal of being a net zero carbon campus: 

• LED interior lights to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort
• LED exterior lights that are dark sky compliant, to reduce energy consumption, prevent light pollution, and reduce the impact of exterior lighting on Breyo Observatory
• Low flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water consumption
• A highly reflective roof to reduce heat gain in the building, which in turn reduces cooling demand and a heat island effect
• Low VOC paints and interior finishes for healthier air for building occupants
• Highly filtered interior air using Merv13 filters
• Highly efficient low E/argon-filled glass windows to reduce heat gain and heating/cooling loss
• Nobel Hall will provide additional emergency power capacity that can be used when we participate in our campus-wide electrical system demand response program that reduces electrical loads at peak times.
• Energy recovery ventilation for a more efficient HVAC system: since science buildings require a lot of ventilation, this system will capture the warmth of interior air prior to ventilation during winter months, or the coolness of interior air prior to ventilation during the summer months
• Integrated stormwater control systems

Parking

Will there be enough campus parking while the building is under construction?

There should be ample parking for the campus community throughout the construction project. Employees, students and visitors may need to use spaces in a different location than where they usually park, but a certain level of disruption is expected with a project this size. We appreciate everyone’s patience. 

Although the new footprint of Nobel Hall will eliminate about 100 parking spots, most of them will be recouped with the reconfiguration of Lot F (see below).  WCGS Architects completed a study of existing parking conditions earlier this year, and based on municipal parking requirements, determined that Siena will actually have an excess of spaces needed, even after Nobel Hall is completed. 

Other

How often will this FAQ list be updated?

It will be updated whenever new information is available or changes occur. The top of the webpage will feature a date when the content was last updated.

If I have a specific concern or question that is not addressed here, whom should I contact?

Siena has designated an independent consultant to address these questions. Contact information is listed below.

When will Thompson Trail be open for use? 

The short portion of Thompson Trail’s wooden walkway has been removed and will be rebuilt in time for the students’ return at the end of summer.

The existing Friars Road is being demolished and realigned closer to the Trail to provide safer and more efficient traffic flow. Through traffic and parking areas will be separated, pedestrian islands will be better defined, and raised crosswalks will be added. 

Approximately 100 parking spots will be added in Lot F to compensate for those lost with the Nobel Hall footprint.   

Are there any other campus construction projects that will impact campus circulation?

Construction around the Ring of Honor in the academic quad is now complete.

A portion of the Cushing Village townhouse complex is blocked off for ongoing renovation of five buildings. This area will be open for pedestrian use by the end of August.