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New Haven approves $600 million Yale University residential college project (video, renderings)

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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By Mary E. O’Leary, Register Topics Editor
moleary@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrmoleary

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NEW HAVEN — Construction of two additional residential colleges at Yale University will get under way this summer, providing enough space for 800 more undergraduates at the Ivy League institution when they are completed in 2015.

They are modeled on the existing 12 residential colleges and pick up design elements from James Gamble Rogers buildings elsewhere on the campus. The architect is Robert A.M. Stern Associates. Stern is dean of the Yale School of Architecture.

The site plan for the estimated $600 million project was approved by the City Plan Commission Wednesday night after discussion around the public pathways that will intersect the area and provide access to the adjacent Farmington Canal greenway.

Alice Raucher, major projects planner for Yale, said there will be public access for walkers and cyclists to the canal at Sachems Walk, Prospect Walk and a public staircase at Prospect and Canal streets.

An undergraduate theater that is part of the plan was tabled to a later date, as were streetscape improvements at Sachem and Canal streets. Way-finding signs will also be taken up later.

Alderman Justin Elicker, D-10, reiterated the need for a raised crosswalk across Prospect Street and stressed other safety concerns for the bike paths.

Raucher said the towers that are part of Stern’s design for the colleges will provide a visual connection to the rest of the campus and to the city itself. The buildings will be constructed of brick and stone with slate roofs and landscaped courtyards.

Each college will have a common room, dining hall, library, academic offices and recreational spaces in addition to student residences.

Construction of the colleges adds to the northern part of the campus which is increasingly built up with the new health center building, police station and its proximity to Science Hill. Continued...

Yale President Richard C. Levin, when he announced plans for the 13th and 14th residential colleges several years ago, said he wanted to provide more opportunities for the hundreds of qualified students who are turned down yearly for lack of space.

Commission Chairman Edward Mattison wondered if the new walkways will be used or are they “pathways from nowhere to nowhere.”

Raucher assured him that the connections to the gymnasium on Tower Parkway, and the health center should be well traveled. The only parking on the site are two spaces each for the master’s home at each of the colleges.

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The Reverend wrote on Nov 16, 2011 10:13 PM:

" The only "bummer" about this nicely done piece is that an Alderperson would both a) interject for MORE City spending on an intersection that was just TOTALLY rebuilt (twice, I'd remind you) and b) have his one line blurb published.
This idiot is obviously on the take from the ECC PAC.
Get on the bike, Mr Elicker. Point it North and don't stop pedaling until you reach tundra. "

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Richard wrote on Nov 17, 2011 7:07 AM:

" Unless I'm missing something, from what I see of the plans it should cost about half of the $600 million they are projecting. It never ceases to amaze me on how poorly Yale manages its money. "

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out of this world wrote on Nov 17, 2011 8:33 AM:

" The bicycle trail goes from gangland / baby mama central, directly into the Yale campus - it's like a portal into another world. I hope the walls of the new dorms are sound proof and bullet proof. Nothing like having to hear gunshots and rap music, at 3am, when you have a test the next day... "

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joseph wrote on Nov 17, 2011 11:52 AM:

" I can't imagine why Yale would even inform the city about this.They do what they want when they want.I suppose they factor in imaginary bribes to Alders/Mayors/Zoning/Engineers,The need for that is long gone and done many times over so it's a nogo.No need,so all the hustle stays in house.Maybe that explains their directors having placed their ilk about to oversee these projects,then yale dumps them on City Hall where they walk around like Max Bauer or drunken dempsey spewing development tales "

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Tom Byron wrote on Nov 17, 2011 12:14 PM:

" This is a good idea build these dorms right next to the gov't raised. After being fed liberal garbage in class all day, they can take a short walk and look at what that type of thinking produces.
A dose of reality is better than any lecture. "

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Construction worker wrote on Nov 17, 2011 12:23 PM:

" This would be a great job to hire ALOT of minorities, a.k.a blacks. I would never work at this site because my tools and or truck would get stolen. There will be vandalism and theft of materials left on site, this will drive up the cost to build the buildings. "

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The Count wrote on Nov 17, 2011 12:41 PM:

" I didn't think Yale needed New Haven's approval for ANYthing. "

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Ya think...... Count wrote on Nov 17, 2011 1:58 PM:

" Without Yale, New Haven would be Haiti. "

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Jermane wrote on Nov 17, 2011 4:32 PM:

" Considering the fact that the 360 State Street project cost $160 million to build with its 500 units. Spending $600 million to house 800 students seems a bit high. Are the rich mommies and daddies of Yale students demanding that their offspring have golden toilets or something? "

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Boola wrote on Nov 17, 2011 4:55 PM:

" It's Yale's money. Go pick on someone else. "

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To Mr Byron and his tiny band of merry men wrote on Nov 17, 2011 8:03 PM:

" Have you ever been to New Haven? Where do you think Yale is? It is distributed throughout every inner-city neighborhood in New Haven. The fact that I was just thinking about Yale today and its workforce, amazes me. The girl on the front page of the register yesterday (a Yale student) helped me for two hours updating my resume as a volunteer of a program in New Haven. The group she volunteers for "No Closed Doors," does not discriminate against working people, or out of town'rs of which I am both. My thoughts though, are that I'm going to look up Yale's record of hiring within the city. Also almost all of these construction jobs should go to city residents since Yale is not paying its fair share of taxes. What does anyone from within city hall feel about that? "

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I forgot wrote on Nov 17, 2011 8:48 PM:

" I know that everyone is going to say, that there are no construction companies in New Haven capable of taking on such a large project. So, then let's change it to a percentage. Although I know this will also irritate some, let's set the minimum at 70% city residents. Whether or not it's a local company. Let's not hire a New Haven construction company whose workers are all from East Haven, or Branford, or Guilford, or North Haven. "

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