Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU visitor center construction delayed until 2011
By Kayla Caldwell
Posted: 10/29/09, 2:58 AM EST Section: News
Plans for a new Syracuse University visitor center and adjoining museum have been put on hold until Spring 2011.
The SU Couri Visitor Center and Museum, slated to be completed by 2010, will not break ground until next spring at the earliest.
The delay is caused by expansions in the development phase and a need for additional funds as a result, said Kevin Quinn, an SU spokesman.
The center will be built next to and within the basement and part of the first floor of Crouse-Hinds Hall. Plans include interactive kiosks and exhibit galleries that highlight popular and historic SU topics. In development, plans and designs started to expand, as did the timeline for the center's completion.
The visitor center was originally made possible by a $2 million donation by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus John Couri and his wife, Elaine, according to a May 2008 news release. The two, both SU alumni, have been involved in the concept of the new visitor center and museum from the beginning, Quinn said.
The initial plans for the center were announced in May 2008, Quinn said.
Changes to the current design added about 5,000 square feet to the original plan, Quinn said. The addition will be used for exhibits, a lobby and visitor space. The plan will require some additional money to compensate for all of the extra space, Quinn said.
Judy Vannais, an SU alumna, is working with her design studio, Guillin+Merrell, to create storylines for the museum exhibits.
Vannais said the exhibits will detail the history of SU, important figures and events, the founding and growth of the school, diversity and innovative education programs.
"The donation was a gift and initially covered all of the costs, but oftentimes in these situations, as the designs evolve additional costs are added," Quinn said.
Since the visitor center will be built in and near Crouse-Hinds, a building highly frequented by prospective students, alumni, and others, Quinn said the team is proceeding carefully.
He said the administration wanted to make sure all details were in place before SU starts construction in the building housing both admissions and the chancellor's office.
"The location is a very important spot, we just want to make sure that we do it right," Quinn said.
The Manhattan firm Fiedler Marciano Architecture, which employs two SU alumni, Mark Fiedler and Martin Marciano, will do the construction, according to the May news release.
"Those involved and others interested in the project are excited about the concept," Quinn said. "But they understand that it will be a very important gateway to the college and we need time to make it perfect."
kcaldwel@syr.edu
The SU Couri Visitor Center and Museum, slated to be completed by 2010, will not break ground until next spring at the earliest.
The delay is caused by expansions in the development phase and a need for additional funds as a result, said Kevin Quinn, an SU spokesman.
The center will be built next to and within the basement and part of the first floor of Crouse-Hinds Hall. Plans include interactive kiosks and exhibit galleries that highlight popular and historic SU topics. In development, plans and designs started to expand, as did the timeline for the center's completion.
The visitor center was originally made possible by a $2 million donation by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus John Couri and his wife, Elaine, according to a May 2008 news release. The two, both SU alumni, have been involved in the concept of the new visitor center and museum from the beginning, Quinn said.
The initial plans for the center were announced in May 2008, Quinn said.
Changes to the current design added about 5,000 square feet to the original plan, Quinn said. The addition will be used for exhibits, a lobby and visitor space. The plan will require some additional money to compensate for all of the extra space, Quinn said.
Judy Vannais, an SU alumna, is working with her design studio, Guillin+Merrell, to create storylines for the museum exhibits.
Vannais said the exhibits will detail the history of SU, important figures and events, the founding and growth of the school, diversity and innovative education programs.
"The donation was a gift and initially covered all of the costs, but oftentimes in these situations, as the designs evolve additional costs are added," Quinn said.
Since the visitor center will be built in and near Crouse-Hinds, a building highly frequented by prospective students, alumni, and others, Quinn said the team is proceeding carefully.
He said the administration wanted to make sure all details were in place before SU starts construction in the building housing both admissions and the chancellor's office.
"The location is a very important spot, we just want to make sure that we do it right," Quinn said.
The Manhattan firm Fiedler Marciano Architecture, which employs two SU alumni, Mark Fiedler and Martin Marciano, will do the construction, according to the May news release.
"Those involved and others interested in the project are excited about the concept," Quinn said. "But they understand that it will be a very important gateway to the college and we need time to make it perfect."
kcaldwel@syr.edu
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