Uris Library and McGraw Tower Envelope Renewal

Project Scope

This project provided strategic renewal of the Uris Library and McGraw Tower exterior building envelope. This maintenance work was required to prevent deterioration of the Uris Library and McGraw Tower exterior masonry and roofing elements. Work was performed in a single construction project to maximize efficiency, and access to Uris Library was maintained throughout the project.

The following high priority envelope renewal items were identified by Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects in the January 2020 Preliminary Building Envelope Condition Assessment:

McGraw Tower: Masonry stabilization and repair, mortar repointing, replacing three different roof systems including the main pyramidal roof, repairing and replacing steel framing and anchors on the pyramidal roof, painting decorative metal grilles, and repair and painting elements of the clock faces.
Uris Library West Wing Bay Roof: Replacement of the original roof system.
Uris Library Main Entrance Porch Roof: Replacement of the current roof system.
Uris Library West and South Wing Gable End Parapets: Repair and replacement of masonry, mortar, copings, and flashings at the parapets.
Uris Library Main East Entrance Steps and North Wall Foundation of Main Reading Room: Reconstruction of the main entrance steps with proper pitch for drainage and repair the north foundation wall with proper water barriers.

Project Schedule

Welliver, General Contractor for the project, mobilized at the base of McGraw Tower and around Uris Library on Friday, July 14, 2023. This work included securing the project site around the tower and staging areas near the library with construction fencing. Installation of scaffolding surrounding the tower began the week of July 31, 2023, and was complete by the end of September.

The overall construction schedule ran from mid-July 2023 through the onset of winter weather, paused until the Spring 2024 construction season began, and then continued through expected completion by Spring 2025 after another pause for winter weather. General working hours were Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm.

Access to Uris Library via the Tower Entrance was maintained throughout the duration of the project, with very limited exceptions. Wayfinding and informational signage was posted along the construction fence.

Cornell Chimes activity was limited during construction, but has since resumed. Please visit the Cornell Chimes website for more information and an updated concert schedule.

Construction Progress

May, 2025 – The project is approximately 98% complete. The replacement of the McGraw Tower pyramidal roof is scheduled to be complete on May 15. Due to the duration of the scaffolding removal, scaffolding will be up during commencement.

The contractor will start removing the upper scaffolding on May 19. There will be a pause in scaffolding removal for commencement, and it will resume on May 26. Full scaffolding removal is anticipated to be complete by August 14.

Pedestrian paths will largely remain as noted below until project completion. However, the fencing across Ho Plaza will be removed temporarily for commencement and reunion.

Once the scaffolding has been removed, there will be minor lawn restoration occurring in the contractor laydown area.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE

Complete Roof Work: May 15, 2025

Complete Scaffolding Removal: August 14, 2025

Pedestrian access around the work area Spring 2025.

January, 2025 – The project has completed exterior masonry restoration at McGraw Tower, at the south and west gable ends of Uris Library, and at the east stairs of Uris Library. The project has also completed the replacement of five other roofs around the McGraw Tower belfry and Uris Library and reconstructed the steel structure that supports the McGraw Tower pyramidal roof.

The replacement of the McGraw Tower pyramidal metal roof is approximately sixty percent complete and has been paused for the winter because the conditions at the top of the tower have become too harsh to continue the work safely and to maintain the quality required for the project. The project is expected to resume in Spring 2025 when the weather allows.

Ho Plaza has been reopened for the winter. Refer to revised pedestrian path below. Ho Plaza will need to be closed again when the work resumes in the spring. Approximately one month is anticipated to complete the metal roofing work and approximately one month is anticipated to remove the scaffolding. Our expectation is that the scaffolding will be removed by Commencement weekend, however this is contingent on the weather and when the project can resume.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE (WEATHER PENDING)

Remobilization: March 18, 2025

Start Roof Work: March 25, 2025

Complete Roof Work: April 30, 2025

Complete Scaffolding Removal: May 23, 2025 (Earlier if possible based on spring weather conditions)

Pedestrian access around the work area Winter 2025.

October, 2024 – Work on the new tower pyramidal roof began over the summer and continued through the fall. Please click the photos below to enlarge.

Details of the iconic chevron pattern fabrication on the new roof.

May, 2024 – The existing tower pyramidal roof was removed as the weather improved in March and April. Cleaning and painting of the steel support structure, as well adjacent masonry restoration, was completed in preparation for the new roof installation over the summer. Please click the photos below to enlarge.