Reposted from Station News [2014-06-30]:
Demolition began this week on the Old Range Greenhouses, as contractors continue with the $4.7 million greenhouse renovation at the Station. Once completed, the multi-year project funded by the state will result in the reconstruction of 21,000 square feet of greenhouses that were originally built from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s. The new, state-of-the-art facilities feature new glass, increased eave heights, improved lighting, retractable shade curtains, and upgraded cooling and climate controls, all of which not only improve research capacity, but also optimize energy efficiency.
In addition to enhancing the capacity for path-breaking research in plant breeding, plant pathology and entomology at the Station, the new greenhouses also improve educational opportunities for more than 50 graduate and undergraduate students who use the facilities, as well as outreach programs designed to engage elementary and high school students.
The project joins several other recent, high-profile investments in the future excellence of the Station, including a new $3.4 million award to the Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship, new funding from the state for hops and malting barley research, and new faculty lines from CALS to be awarded at the successful conclusion of the Station’s strategic planning process.