Calling for Small Projects: Summer 2015 Project Requests

By
Joseph Mannino
April 06, 2015

Dear Colleagues,

As part of our mission to maintain a safe, beautiful and functional campus environment, Columbia University Facilities manages a wide array of renovation and improvement projects for existing buildings both on and off campus. While construction activity is a year-round process, a significant portion of our capital construction program takes place during the summer months, when the campus population is reduced and construction has the least impact on campus activities.

EARLY PROJECT PLANNING IS KEY

As with all construction projects, planning a summer project as early as possible is essential to its timely completion. It is especially important in the competitive New York construction market to allow us adequate time to plan, schedule, design and bid your project, and secure University approvals.

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROJECT REQUEST FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

Getting your project started is easy through our online project request form. Simply go to our website at http://facilities.columbia.edu and click on "Initiate a New Construction or Renovation Project".

You will be asked to identify the purpose and need of the project, proposed space or location, the project funding source, desired schedule, special requirements or considerations, and a general scope of work. All capital project requests are reviewed by our Project Intake Committee and responded to in a timely manner.

WHEN TO START PLANNING

Although every project differs in size and scope, in general, we ask that you follow these guidelines in order for your project to be completed on time. Please note that your department will be responsible for any cost related to an initial feasibility study necessary to determine the scope and preliminary cost of the requested project.

SUMMER PROJECTS

  • Small Projects - May cost up to $500,000, usually involve one or two trades such as paint, carpet or furniture, but may sometimes involve Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system modifications. The deadline to submit your project request for small projects is April 6, 2015. Projects submitted after April 6, 2015 as well as complex projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will be considered for the summer schedule accordingly.

NON-SUMMER PROJECTS

  • Midsize Projects - May cost between $500,000 to $1,000,000, usually require outside consultants and a general contractor or construction manager, involve multiple construction trades, and require ordering long lead items such as steel or mechanical equipment. These projects typically take 8 to 12 months to design and construct.  
  • Large Projects - Typically cost over $1,000,000, usually require outside consultants such as an architect and engineer to design and require a general contractor or construction manager to build. These projects typically take more than 12 months to design and construct.

If you need assistance completing your request or have any questions concerning the Capital Project process, please do not hesitate to contact Al Pistone, Assistant Vice President of Project Management via email at [email protected].

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to help our faculty, students and staff do their very best, while continuing to support the life of our University community and building a better campus for all of us.

Sincerely,

Joseph Mannino,
Columbia University Facilities
Vice President - Planning & Capital Project Management

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