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On Monday, May 18, 2020 per order of the Governor, the Commonwealth reduced restrictions on construction activity within its borders. For the past six weeks, the project team has moved from full shutdown to a cautious ramping up of activity and has implemented new protocols for the protection of construction workers at the Neilson Library and Alumnae Gym work sites. The worker safety protocols put in place, and the essential work completed to protect the building, will allow construction progress to approach productivity levels from the pre-COVID 19 era.
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In order to support worksite health and safety, construction has been discontinued on the Neilson Library project including Neilson Library and Alumnae Gym. A preliminary construction restart date of May 4, 2020 has been set, but conditions will be reassessed and there is a significant chance that the closure will be extended.
Read the letter to the Smith community about the Neilson Library project.
Construction activity is planned over spring recess that is outside of the Neilson construction perimeter and will impact access into Wright Hall and Wright Hall parking, including the handicap parking at the building. The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 16 and continue through Friday, March 20. Accessible access into Wright Hall will be maintained at all times and required egress routes will be provided. Accessible pedestrian access will also be maintained on paths and drives around the building without major detours and handicap parking will be relocated to within 200 feet of the building entrance.
The mood is upbeat at the construction site with the weather improving and work for the most part unencumbered by the elements. The building exterior is approaching completion as masons install the limestone blocks under the staging wraps and roofers complete the slate tile on the 1909 Neilson sloped roofs. The contractor expects to have the entire exterior facade completed in about two months.
The contractor will be working a second shift at the library for the next two weeks or so. Shawmut Construction will keep a project manager on site from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. to supervise a crew that will be applying spray foam insulation to the interior face of the 1909 masonry walls. This means that the construction lights inside the building will be on until 11:30 p.m. This work is being done in the evening to not impact the other trades who are working in the building during the day hours and to help keep the project moving forward on schedule.
There will be underground utility work occurring Monday, November 25 and Tuesday November 26 at the northwest corner of the construction site near Wright Hall. The contractor will be completing work on the 8 inch water service that passes between Neilson Library and Wright Hall. This work will not impact water service to any buildings and will not impact access to the entrances to Wright Hall.
Fall 2019 Project Update: Much of the work completed since last spring, including the new structure and exterior facades on the building are speaking for themselves.
Dean of Libraries Susan Fliss shares details about the new Neilson Library. From a Learning Commons for integrated support from learning specialists, to moveable stacks, to an entire wing dedicated to Special Collections, the new library is designed to meet educational needs today—and in the future.
On Friday, June 14, there will be extra truck traffic through John M. Greene Gate as the contractor pours the level 2 concrete deck at Neilson.
Also, due to scheduling issues, the demolition of the Wright Hall back stair out to the terrace will not begin until Tuesday, June 18. There will be electricians in Wright Hall Thursday, June 13, to rework the exit signs for the revised emergency egress out of Wright. For those using Wright Hall as a route around the construction site, you will need to use the back entry near the Lanning Fountain as the terrace doors will be closed off. Read more...
There will be excessive noise and nuisance vibration on the south side of Wright Hall beginning Monday, June 17 and lasting two to three days. Disruption for occupants can be expect for those in close proximity to the back doors of Wright leading to the terrace. It should not impact occupants in other buildings. The team is aware of a lecture in Weinstein Auditorium on June 19 and will avoid work during the event. If other events are planned, please let us know. Read more...
Due to scheduling delays, work in Dickinson Parking Lot scheduled for last week will begin Monday, June 3. The contractor will be installing drain lines and catch basin structures in Dickinson Parking Lot. We do not expect significant impacts on vehicle and pedestrian access through the lot, but there may be momentary disruption to traffic flow. Work will begin on Monday and be completed by Thursday. A graphic is attached showing where construction vehicles will be working.
Also, Wright Hall occupants should be aware that we are a couple weeks away from demolishing the entire exterior rear terrace at Wright Hall. The doorway out of Wright Hall level G towards Burton Lawn will be closed indefinitely. Plans for that change are being studied, but will not require additional work in Wright Hall. Further information will be posted in the neat future.
