Current and Planned Construction
Baker Laboratory — First Floor West Wing
Illick Hall Renovation Related Project
Anticipated Bid Date: Aug. 1, 2025
Anticipated completion: Winter 2026
Baker 1 story southwest wing previously designed specifically for Wood Products Engineering will be totally renovated to support the current research initiatives of SRM and limited portions of ERE
A series of twelve research labs will be created along the north-south corridor. The existing shop areas shop will be rightsized to reflect the scale of wood and current sustainability and material research initiatives. The soils lab will be relocated from Illick 3rd Floor to a prominent similar sized area at the southeast.
Field sample intake areas will be established along the east including areas to deliver, clean, dry, weigh and process field samples before they are brought into the labs.
Bray Hall — Fourth Floor
Anticipated Bid Date: June 3, 2025
Anticipated completion: Spring 2027
Rehab Elevator and Toilet Rooms, Bray Hall
The elevator in Bray Hall that was installed in 1971 will be replaced with a modern
elevator that will travel to the main level of the fourth floor.
The project will also remove the “foul air duct” in the corridor on the fourth floor which will eliminate the stairs in the corridors and the stairs from the corridors to the offices. Two new single occupant bathrooms will be created in the basement next to the elevator and on both the third and fourth floors next to the elevator. The Men’s rooms on the first and second floors will be converted to two single occupant bathrooms and new kitchenettes will be installed near the bathrooms and elevator on all floors.
Illick Hall
Anticipated Bid Date: Fall 2027
Illick, after over 55 years in the service to the campus for Environmental Biology and some facets of Sustainability Resource Management (SRM) will see a total renovation estimated at over $100m. The firm of SLAM Collaborative from Boston/Glastonbury CT was selected to lead the design team.
As it is not practical to empty the entire building, the project construction will be phased to address the west and portions of the center as Phase I and the remainder of the building to the east as Phase II. Enabling projects in Baker, Walters, and Bray will need to be complete to empty the westerly portions so construction can commence. Nearly all campus buildings will be pressed into greater service during Illick’s construction.
The program verification and design indicated nearly all Environmental Biology functions can be accommodated in a renovated Illick however EB’s herbarium/fungarium and all of SRM’s functions currently in Illick, including the soils and TERA lab will need to find permanent locations elsewhere on campus.
Moon Library
Anticipated Bid Date: Dec. 3, 2025
The renovated lower level of Moon Library at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry will be transformed into a dynamic, sustainable, and inclusive space that fosters learning, collaboration, and community engagement. This revitalized area will feature flexible learning environments, dedicated quiet study spaces, and interactive social hubs, designed to support diverse academic and creative pursuits. Guided by ESF’s commitment to sustainability, the renovation will incorporate eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions, creating a model for responsible design.
Stadium Place
Anticipated Bid Date: Jan. 26, 2026
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027
A major campus accessibility project is underway to improve entry from the Standart lot, ensuring a more inclusive and convenient experience for all visitors. The project includes the installation of an elevator, making campus access easier for individuals with mobility needs. A new bus pull-off area will accommodate 20-25 passengers, featuring a sheltered waiting space to provide protection from the elements. Additionally, a redesigned, angled, and covered stairway will enhance both safety and aesthetics. At the base of a beautifully landscaped hill, a new seating area will create a welcoming space for students and visitors to gather and relax. These upgrades will greatly enhance connectivity, accessibility, and comfort across campus.
Walters Hall - Lower Level
Illick Hall Renovation Related Project
Anticipated Bid Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027
Walters 002/004 will be modified and improved to create a permanent home for one of Environmental Biology’s most important research and teaching collections, the Herbarium and Fungarium. This function will move from 4th Floor of Illick’s west side to its permanent home in the lower level of Walters. Compact (movable) shelving will be utilized to save floor area, leaving room for an adequate active research area at the entry to the suite.
Walters Hall - First Floor
Illick Hall Renovation Related Project
Anticipated Bid Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027
Walters 102 suite original to Walters will be renovated to create two properly sized class labs so that Environmental Biology’s lab courses with more intense fume hood or utility needs can be displaced from the west end of Illick ahead of construction.
Walters Hall - Fourth Floor
Illick Hall Renovation Related Project
Anticipated Bid Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027
Walters entire fourth floor will be transformed to accommodate six Environmental Biology molecular researchers to be displaced from Illick ahead of construction. This floor will include six modern research lab spaces, shared support space for labs, offices for faculty, and space for their graduate students.
