Summer Classes at the Science Center

Summer classes at the Science Center will not be interrupted by the ongoing renovations. The modular teaching labs that will temporarily house research and classroom space while work at the Science Center L-wing continues will be furnished and ready for the start of classes on June 4.

In addition, electrical power to the Science Center will be temporarily shut down for one day in May. More information on the exact day will be posted prior to the date.

As other facets of the renovation continues, please note:

  • The service road to the Center’s loading dock will be restricted due to underground work on the electrical infrastructure.
  • As always, pedestrians and motorists should take note of the new road signs and fencing around the construction site. Please keep aware and use caution!

If you have questions or concerns as this project progresses please email them to scienceconstruction@wellesley.edu.

The Gray Lot

The Gray Lot is no longer a parking lot! Instead of cars you will find modular teaching labs that will temporarily house research and classroom space while the Science Center Laboratory wing (L wing) undergoes renovations.

Inside the Science Center L-wing, research journals have been temporarily removed from the Science library and will be available online.

As construction work continues, please note:

  • The service road to the Center’s loading dock will be restricted due to underground work on the electrical infrastructure for four weeks beginning in early April. Deliveries to the loading dock will need to be coordinated with the crew that manages it.
  • The access road that runs to the greenhouse area will be closed for the next 14 months because of demolition and construction activity related to Global Flora.
  • Pedestrians and motorists should take note of the new road signs and fencing around the construction site. Please be aware and use caution!

If you have questions or concerns as this project progresses please email them to scienceconstruction@wellesley.edu.

The Crane Has Arrived

The crane that will be used to install modular teaching labs has been positioned in the Gray Lot parking area. The first of the lab units are expected to arrive over the next few days, weather permitting. The complex will serve as research and teaching space while the Science Center laboratory wing (L wing) undergoes renovations. There will be minimal traffic disruption as the trailers are moved onto campus and into position inside the lot.

New pedestrian and vehicle signs have been installed in the area around the construction site and along the Science Center Access Road. A new crosswalk has been painted onto the road surface. Pedestrians are advised to use the crosswalk for their own safety.

To make room for the Global Flora greenhouses, several trees will be carefully removed from the area starting next week. The removed trees will be recycled, and new vegetation will replace the trees once the new greenhouses are completed.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.

Science Center Renovation Update

The arrival of temporary modular teaching labs in the Gray Lot parking area has been slightly delayed and will occur within the next several days. The new modular lab complex will have the same research and teaching capabilities as regular classrooms and will be used while the Science Center laboratory wing (L wing) undergoes renovations.

Also, a crane that will be used in the renovation will be moved to the parking lot within the next several days. There will be minimal traffic disruption.

Starting this week, pedestrians and motorists should look for new signs around the entire construction site and along the Science Center Access Road, otherwise known as Christmas tree alley.

Be aware that the road will no longer be one-way after it is restriped to accommodate two-way traffic in both directions. All users of the road should pay attention to the new crosswalk, and pedestrians are advised to use the sidewalk as opposed to walking in the street. Also this: do not walk and text at the same time. The road will be busier.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.

Modular Labs Arriving

The labs are coming! The labs are coming! The first of the modular teaching labs will be placed in their temporary location in the Gray Lot parking area next Saturday. The new modular lab complex will have the same research and teaching capabilities as regular classrooms and will be used while the Science Center laboratory wing (L wing) undergoes renovations.

A crane that will be used in this project will be moved to the parking lot on Friday. There will be minimal traffic disruption. Pedestrians and motorists should look for new signage around the entire construction site and along the Science Center Access Road, otherwise known as Christmas tree alley.

Be aware that the road will no longer be one-way after it is restriped to accommodate two-way traffic in both directions. All users of the road should pay attention to the new crosswalk, and pedestrians are advised to use the sidewalk as opposed to walking in the street. Also this: do not walk and text at the same time. The road will be busier.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.

Pedestrian/Traffic Alert

Science Hill will have a different look very soon, as construction vehicles and work crews begin to enter and leave the site. One of those vehicles will be a truck transporting a crane onto the site on February 23.

If you are planning to walk, ride a bicycle, or drive a car in the area, please take caution and look out for new road signs that will be posted on Science Center Access Road, otherwise known as Christmas tree alley. Be careful to note that the road will no longer be one-way after it is restriped to accommodate two-way traffic in both directions.

Vehicular traffic will be temporarily detoured from the roadway from February 15-17 at the southeast corner of Gray Lot through the lot to the northern entry during work on an underground water line in the area.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.

Pedestrian/Traffic Alert

If you’re accustomed to walking in the middle of the Science Center Access Road, otherwise known as Christmas tree alley, please use the sidewalk instead. That’s because the road will be plenty crowded with heavy construction vehicles entering and leaving the construction site.

Another safety precaution for pedestrians: Stop and look in both directions if you’re crossing Christmas tree alley (the road that runs parallel to Gray Lot) because it will go from being a one-way street to two-ways. The road will be restriped and new signage added.

From February 15 to February 19, vehicular traffic will be detoured from the road at the southeast corner of Gray Lot through the lot to the northern entry during for work on an underground water line in the area.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.

The Dirt is Back

After a brief hiatus, The Dirt, a campus blog that promises to be your go-to source for the inside scoop on the day-to-day happenings related to Wellesley’s Campus Renewal projects, has returned. If you’re reading this in your email, congrats! As a denizen of the Science Center, Simpson, or Stone, you’ve been automatically subscribed to receive these updates. Information posted here will include updates related to the project from the College’s campus facilities and communications offices.

Initial phases of the work have already begun. Science faculty members have been working tirelessly along with Ann Velenchik, Cathy Summa, and the project team to plan for the transition out of the L-wing. Overall, this renovation is a significant undertaking that will affect much of the campus over the next several years.

If you’ve been on Science Hill then you know that parking has been relocated from Gray Lot to make room for the temporary modular classrooms, offices and laboratories that will be situated in that space.

Davis Museum Parking Lot Closed 6/5 to 8/19

The Davis Museum Parking Lot will be closed for renovations from Monday, June 6 until Friday, August 19. The renovated and redesigned lot will include four ADA Compliant Parking Spaces and three Visitor Parking Spaces. During the renovation, parking in the Davis Lot will be prohibited, except for access by Wellesley College Operations and emergency vehicles. Deliveries to the Davis Museum and Jewett Arts Center Loading Docks can be coordinated thru the Wellesley College Office of Design and Construction with at least two days advance notification. For more information, please contact Gerard Buggy 781-283-2795 or gbuggy@wellesley.edu 
Thank you for your cooperation.

Repairs on College Road

During the month of July, steam line repairs will be conducted on College Road in the vicinity of Dower and Weaver House (the Admissions Office). There will be periods when police details will be used to manage traffic flow, but only half of the road will be closed at a time during construction.

We do not anticipate any significant delays or inconvenience during this time. If you have any questions, please contact the Facilities Management Office at x2767.