Renovations on Newhouse II have entered the demolition stage after the project was introduced in 2010, and will soon begin construction.

The construction phase is expected to be completed by June before being unveiled officially in fall 2014, said Susan Nash, director of administration for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and overseer of the project. Construction will involve building and designing the multimedia studios located on the first floor, she said.

Three weeks ago, the first outer wall facing Waverly Avenue was knocked down, sparking excitement and interest from both students and alumni, Nash said.

“Once the (construction) panels came up the side of the building, it started to seem pretty real for people,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot of excitement from people that it’s actually happening and underway.”

The project in total cost $18 million and will serve as the first major, full-scale update of Newhouse II since its construction in 1974.

The outer walls of Newhouse II are now being replaced with construction panels to supplement the building of a two-story glass curtain wall at the corner of University and Waverly Avenues. The glass wall will be part of the revamped entrance lobby. Dick Clark Studios will be displayed on a large monument wall in the renovated Waverly entrance.

The renovation plans are on display on the first floor of Newhouse II, Nash said.

“So far, there have been a couple tweaks to the design, but the plans still remain similar to the original rendering,” said Nash. “We expect the construction process to run smoothly.”

Published on August 27, 2013 at 3:19 am

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu