Physical construction beginning in M’ville

Columbia has begun laying the foundation for the construction of buildings on its Manhattanville campus.

According to updates from the University, the process of installing the foundations and slurry walls for new buildings—including the Jerome L. Greene Science Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior— began at the end of March on the block bordered by West 129th Street, West 130th Street, Broadway, and Twelfth Avenue.

The slurry walls are crucial to the foundations of the buildings, and construction includes excavation and pouring concrete. This is the last step before buildings start to go up in Manhattanville, said Dan Held, a spokesman for the University.

“Once the slurry wall is complete, excavation can be finalized and building foundations can be installed,” Held said. “Following that, the construction of the building will begin.”
A slurry wall is a construction technique that reinforces concrete walls in areas with high ground water, like Manhattanville.

The Jerome L. Greene Science Center, where foundation is currently being set, will be a research and teaching facility and is the cornerstone of the planned expansion of Columbia’s neuroscience department.

As the science center starts to go up, another phase of demolition will begin this month. The buildings along the east side of 12th Avenue between West 130th and 132nd streets are next to be demolished, and the area is currently being fenced off and prepared. The 10-story building at 3243-3247 Broadway will be the first to be demolished.
The University has emphasized that they are dedicated to sustainability, as construction moves forward.

“The plan commits to incorporating smart growth, new urbanism, and ‘green’ building design principles,” Held wrote in a statement. “The University has also been working with [the] Environmental Defense Fund to ensure all construction applies the cleanest air emissions controls available while keeping community communication doors open.”

Held added that Columbia is also working to keep the construction area clean, preserve air quality, and mitigate noise and vibration by using low-sulfur diesel fuel and diesel particulate filters, as well as quiet equipment and sound barriers. Pest management has been integrated into the work plans as well, especially after recent reports of increased rat problems in the area.

Despite some complaints from neighbors about late-night work, construction updates from the University say that work only takes place during business hours, and locals have not been notified of any irregular hours.

“All work is proceeding as planned,” Held said.

gina.lee@columbiaspectator.com