Construction has begun on Binghamton University’s $30 million New York State Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging building which will support more than 180 jobs per year throughout the construction process.

The new two-story, 114,000-sq-ft, metal and stone Center of Excellence facility will feature open laboratory space, a symposium hall and offices providing space for the expansion and consolidation of Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging and its team of scientists and engineers. The facility will connect with the Biotechnology and the Engineering and Science buildings, both which are a part of this State University of New York’s Innovative Technologies Complex and provide $15.9 million annual economic impact.

“From electronics companies to companies developing the next generation of solar cells, this center will foster the type of interaction between our private sector and our leading academic research center which is essential to growing New York State innovation economy,” said Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science.

The Center of Excellence will feature in-house design and will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards through its use of energy-efficient windows and skylights, green roof applications and the latest technology for heat recovery and humidity control. Binghamton University is the architect of record, headed up by staff architect, William Hall and Stantec who designed the mechanical systems.

The project will be done in two phases with the first phase including site, site utilities, excavation, foundation, steel and elevated slabs. The second phase will include slab on grade, shell, green roof, stairs, heat, ventilating and air conditioning systems, electrical, fire protection and interior fit-out. As of now, no contractors have been named but Binghamton University is about to begin accepting bids for the first phase of the project. The bidding process for the second phase of the project will begin early next year.

Construction is expected to be completed on the center by January 2013.

-Carolina Worrell