Tufts has established a comprehensive process for planning and executing capital projects to renovate, maintain existing space, and build new. This site will be used to provide ongoing and timely information about these projects and the process to authorize them.
Three of Tufts’ capital projects will have a major, interconnected impact on the Medford/Somerville campus over the next five years.
The 574 Boston Avenue Redevelopment Project, Science and Engineering Complex, and new Campus Energy Plant.
According to the anticipated timeline, the completion of 574 Boston Avenue will offer space for current occupants of Robinson Hall at the start of construction on the Science and Engineering Complex.
The campus Energy Plant, a longer term project in close proximity to these structures, will be ready to supply chilled water to the Science and Engineering Complex and co-generation.
The Provost and the Deans of Arts and Sciences and Engineering will host an Open Forum to update the Tufts community on the planned Science and Engineering Complex, which is proposed for the ‘hinge block’ between Anderson and Bromfield-Pearson on the Medford/Somerville campus. Targeted to open in 2017, the new building will provide state-of-the-art research and teaching lab space. The forum will examine programmatic directions, current floor plans, images of interior and exterior design, and a proposed project schedule. This event will be of particular interest to those who work in and around the hinge block; construction logistics and a timetable will be discussed.
Recent studies to understand possible improvements to increase safety of people moving around and through the Tufts University Medford/Somerville campus have highlighted the need to address mobility issues comprehensively leading to the creation of the Tufts Transportation Working Group chaired by Tina Woolston, Sustainability Program Director and Kevin Maguire, Director of Public and Environmental Safety. The working group is charged by Executive Vice President Patricia Campbell with addressing university opportunities and challenges in two primary areas: transportation demand management and fleet management.
To better provide state-of-the-art care for animals and enhance services for their owners, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has launched an initiative to renovate and expand its teaching hospitals. Tufts’ master plan details a comprehensive project that will entail extensive renovations and expansion of both the Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals and the Hospital for Large Animals. The first phase is projected to cost $8 million focusing on the Foster Hospital creating larger treatment rooms for specialized care, an increased number of much needed exam rooms and new areas central to clients’ comfort. The campaign to renovate the Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals, which was launched last spring, recently received an important boost from gifts to fund this significant capital project. Read Tufts Now Article.
The Project Sponsor Group (PSG), which President Monaco appointed for the proposed Science and Engineering Complex, is working with academic departments to understand the vision for the future of science and engineering on the Medford/Somerville campus and the needs of faculty who will move to the new building from Barnum and Dana halls. Three working groups comprised of faculty and administrators from several science and engineering departments continue to provide input on the program and design of the teaching and research labs, core facilities, administration and common spaces. The PSG will consider the recommendations of the working groups within the project budget while underscoring the project’s relationship to school priorities.
Members of the PSG for the Science and Engineering Complex are: Chair, Patricia Campbell, Executive Vice President; Linda Abriola, Dean, School of Engineering; Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences; Diane Souvaine, Vice Provost for Research, and David Walt, Director, Tufts Institute for Innovation.
An important element in our planning for capital projects is the collaborative efforts of the Project Sponsor Group (PSG) established for each major construction project. The PSG provides direction to the staff and design team for each project and underscores its relation to school priorities. Four Program Working Groups comprised of faculty, students, and administrators are providing input on the design, space planning and program development for the renovation of 574 Boston Avenue. The PSG will consider the working groups’ recommendations within the project budget. Read more about the 574 Boston Avenue Project Working Groups.
Last month’s Parents and Faculty Weekend marked the successful beginning of activities in the beautifully renoved Cohen Auditorium. Tufts’ largest venue for classes, major events, student performances in dance, music, and theater, and the Magic Circle Theater summer camp. Cohen’s fresh look includes new seating, a new color palette, much improved sound, lighting, and visual systems to enhance teaching and performances, and several stage updates, including new flooring, curtains, and, most important, wheelchair access.
The 574 Boston Avenue “groundbreaking” ceremony held in October, brought together community and University leaders to celebrate the start of renovations. Medford’s Mayor McGlynn and President Monaco together with School of Arts and Sciences Dean Joanne Berger-Sweeney and School of Engineering Dean Linda Abiola, were at the reconstruction site to tour and formally “break” ground on this Capital Project. The building will provide cross-disciplinary space that is welcoming to both Tufts and the greater community.
The dedication of the Bacow Sailing Pavilion named in honor of Lawrence S. and Adele Fleet Bacow, will be celebrated on October 25th. An accessible, state-of-the-art, energy efficient building, the Lawrence S. Bacow and Adele Fleet Bacow Sailing Pavilion will provide the university with boat storage, repair space, lockers, and changing facilities, as well as a multipurpose observation deck and meeting spaces. Read Tufts Now Article.
Demolition has begun in preparation for the renovation of the exterior and the core infrastructure at 574 Boston Avenue. Programming and design for the interior fit out of offices, classrooms, teaching and research labs will begin October. The 95,000 square foot academic building will be the future home of several research clusters related to Physics, Child and Human Development, Cognitive Science, and Human Centered Engineering. Targeted occupancy is January 2015.
University public safety improvement projects are included in the broad scope of the Tufts Capital Plan. Through capital planning and investment, vital pedestrian safety improvement projects are implemented for the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors who travel in and around our campuses. Read more about recent public safety improvements on the Medford/Somerville campus.
The five-year capital planning process includes careful consideration of capital budget priorities. Supporting and integrating with T-10 strategic planning and TEAM, is at the top of that list of priorities. Tufts’ fundamental commitment to being a student-centered research university focused on creating positive impacts on individuals and society remains our primary focus as we develop the plan for FY2014-2019. Noteworthy capital projects nearing completion this fall include a University Data Center, located at the Tufts Administration Building in Somerville; a Biosafety Level 3 lab in the Arnold Building on the Boston campus; and the Lawrence S. Bacow and Adele Fleet Bacow Sailing Pavilion.
Capital budgeting is a comprehensive process of identifying and evaluating existing and anticipated capital needs to best serve our academic mission, given available resources. It includes the development of the annual capital budget as well as a five-year capital plan. Approval of the capital budget is the spending authorization for the current year of the plan. The five year capital plan uses a rolling approach to identify, refine, and update future capital needs. The capital planning cycle is now underway, with the schools, Provost’s Office, and divisions carefully reviewing and documenting highest priority needs.
The summer months marked a period of substantial construction across the university. Each year Facilities Services uses this quieter time to repair and refurbish buildings of all types. This summer over 60 projects were underway, and with extensive preparation, Facilities moved quickly to complete projects within this short window of time. Read Tufts Now Article.