Demolition of the Ann Street parking structure, overseen by the New York City Department of Buildings, has been paused for the past several weeks. It is expected to restart in mid-August, with work to continue into the fall semester. The timing of this work is outside our control, and we are in regular contact with the relevant agencies to closely monitor progress.
This August, we plan to re-occupy 161 William Street and once again welcome residential students to 33 Beekman, with the exception of the limited areas that remain under a vacate order from the city. The limited vacate orders remain in place because of the heavy machinery operating in close proximity to the affected areas. Both buildings are safe and structurally sound, as confirmed by both the Department of Buildings and an independent structural engineering firm retained by the University.
Your safety and wellbeing remain our priority. This month, both buildings will undergo deep cleaning, air quality testing, and air filter changes. When demolition at the parking structure resumes, there may be some noise and vibration, but it will be similar to normal construction nearby. It may cause some minor disruption, but we have been assured that the buildings are safe.
Below are specific details for each building:
161 William Street will open on August 14, except for limited areas. The following areas will NOT be accessible when the building reopens:
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1st Floor: Mail Services, Auxiliary Services, and Safety and Security. These offices will remain in their previous locations in One Pace Plaza.
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2nd Floor: University Health Care (UHC) and two classrooms in the western portion of the building. UHC will remain in its previous location in One Pace Plaza.
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3rd Floor: Three classrooms in the western portion of the building will be closed.
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4th and 5th Floors: A number of offices for College of Health Professions faculty will be inaccessible. Affected faculty have been notified and arrangements have been made.
Separately, construction for new classrooms and the temporary location for the UHC Center is underway on the second and third floors of 161 William Street and is scheduled to be substantially complete on August 18. You will see contractors at work on these floors. Campus Planning is coordinating with affected deans and vice presidents to find alternative solutions until we can fully re-occupy these spaces. We know this is an inconvenience, and we greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation and flexibility.
The 33 Beekman residence hall is open and remains safe. A small number of residential rooms remain off-limits due to precautions enforced by the Department of Buildings, due to heavy machinery operating on the parking-structure site nearby. We will reopen them as soon as it is safe to do so. The following areas will NOT be accessible at the start of the Fall 2023 semester:
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Basement level laundry room: Until the laundry room becomes accessible, the University will arrange for 33 Beekman residential students to utilize, at no cost to them, a local full-service laundry facility.
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1st Floor: Student mailroom and student lockers. Packages for 33 Beekman residential students can be picked up from the existing digital lockers on G-level of One Pace Plaza East.
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2nd Floor: Student kitchen; lounges in the southern portion of the building.
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3rd–5th Floors: Five residential rooms per floor, in the southern portion of the building.
Thank you again for your understanding as we work with our neighbors and city partners to ensure everyone’s safety and return to full occupancy of these buildings. We look forward to getting you back into these spaces as soon as we can responsibly do so. We will continue to update you as we receive new information, and we will announce plans for a final return when they are available.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, and we look forward to seeing you back on campus for the Fall 2023 semester.
