Baruch College’s oldest building, The Lawrence and Eris Field Building, located on East 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue, is finally getting a makeover. This building has not been renovated since the day it opened in 1929.
The Lawrence and Eris Field Building, also known as 17 Lex, is used by almost 4,000 students, staff and faculty members per semester. The building is very outdated and is critically in need of renovation.
According to the Director of Government and Community Relations at Baruch, Eric Lugo, “It’s a very old building… The elevators break down often and the building’s electrical infrastructure isn’t equipped to handle all the technology that comes with a 21st-century education.”
The renovations would provide the building with Wi- Fi access, which it currently does not have. Also, the building’s electricity is maxed out, so new Con Edison vaults would be installed under the sidewalk on 23rd street. These renovations would bring the building fully up to speed electrically, which is essential in the 21st century.
The elevators in 17 Lex are very problematic. Baruch students have to wait in long lines in the lobby of the building in order to use the elevators because most of the time they are out of service. “The worst problem is the elevators. I’m happy they’re going to fix it since they’re always breaking down”, says Emily, a Baruch student.
Most students are glad that there will be renovations because most rooms in the building do not have air conditioners or the air conditioners do not work. Therefore, the installation of new air conditioners will make both teaching and learning more comfortable on warmer days. “Summer classes are unbearable here. Every student wish classes are held at the Vertical Campus because you feel like you’re in a desert”, says another Baruch student.
17 Lex is not fully up to date with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, so the renovations would fix this problem by building a new entrance ramp.
According to an article on DNAinfo.com, Baruch has secured $90.4 million for the first phase of the renovation, including $30 million in state capital funds.
The first phase of the renovation includes bringing 17 Lex up to speed electrically, replacing archaic and poor lighting in main lobby and replacing old elevators that are often out of service.
As said on the Baruch College website, the building will remain open during construction. However, the building and the surrounding area will be separated from construction by partitions and fencing. Also, a pedestrian pathway with a scaffolding will be provided to allow safe passage for those passing by the site.
Although the renovation of the Lawrence and Eris Field Building will not be finished until around the fall or winter of 2015, most people that use the building are willing to wait.