Construction of 480M NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center begins

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jun 13, 2008

ITHACA - Construction has begun on the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). The $80 million Center will be built with a $56 million grant from the State of New York. This grant, supplemented by $24 million from Cornell University and other sources, will be used to find construction.

The 125,000-gross-square-foot Center is expected to be complete in 2010 and will accommodate the work of more than 200 people who are currently housed in 12 locations. Complete with laboratories at biosafety levels 2 and 3 (which will enhance Cornell's ability to investigate infectious diseases), a state-of-the-art necropsy facility, and multidisciplinary diagnostic laboratories, the new Center will replace the existing facilities, which were constructed in 1978, and expand Cornell's service, teaching, and research capacities, the university contends.

"The Animal Health Diagnostic Center is a unique partnership between Cornell University and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets," said Michael Kotlikoff, dean of Cornell's Veterinary College of Medicine. "The new Animal Health Diagnostic Center laboratory will continue to inspire 21st century discovery, strengthen our ability to successfully respond to emergencies, and protect the animals and citizens of New York State ..."

The new Center will provide enhanced capabilities to improve the health of food- and fiber-producing animals, companion animals, exotic animals, and wildlife, and to advance public health through the diagnosis and control of zoonotic diseases.

Cornell's AHDC is the only full-service multidisciplinary animal disease diagnostic facility in New York State and is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Every year, this facility conducts approximately 1 million tests on more than 150,000 cases received from the United States and Canada.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said, This state-of-the-art Animal Health Diagnostic Center will play a critical role in our efforts to detect and prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens that represent a very real threat not only our animals, but [also] to the health and well-being of our agricultural industry and the people of New York."

The new Center has been designed to operate on 50 percent less energy than similar buildings of this type. Special attention has been given to building orientation, exterior wall construction detailing, and glazing selection, Cornell says. Heat recovery, reduced air-change rates, and lower sash heights are other strategies that have been employed to provide an energy-conscience and appropriate design, according to the university.

The building's architectural design was created by CUH2A. The building's two wings are linked by a central atrium and form a corner/edge for the Vet College complex. The northern, formal face of the building, with an extensive glass curtain wall, overlooks Fall Creek Gorge and the plantation's arboretum. The obtuse angle at the intersection of the two wings opens up to connect the entrance to the view beyond.

The floor plans of the building are carefully layered to separate public circulation from service circulation with open laboratory space occupying the center layer, Cornell says. The existing service yard blacktop hardscape will be replaced with more permeable landscaping.