Recently, the project architect, Chris Costanza along with the designer Tom Johnson and John Nichols from Nichols Construction presented plans for Chesonis Commons to the Brighton Architectural Review Board. It was an inspiring and amazing presentation that left all in attendance excited about this new project on the Harley campus. Following the meeting, Harley received approval from both the Architectural Review Board and Town Planning Board to move forward.
At this juncture, we are continuing to determine the details of the project, including final costs, materials, timing, and design. In September, the Harley Board of Trustees will review the construction proposal and status of fundraising. As of today, we have raised $2.4 million, which is within the expected cost and keeps us on track for a fall groundbreaking. We are excited to see the vision of Chesonis Commons coming to life!
Chesonis Commons will create valuable student experiences like no other in Rochester and all of Western New York. It is planned as a 14,000 square foot living building that will challenge Harley students to manage a net-zero operation in energy, water, and carbon dioxide. It will provide and open, ongoing experiment that links behavior and real decisions to sustainable living. In addition, the Commons will house the Center for Mindfulness and Empathy Education, the Briggs Center for Civic Engagement, the Center for Citizen Science, two science classrooms, and a project/design space.
It is important to note that building this new building will not impact tuition, but rather the fundraising has been done in a specific, concerted effort that will not raise the cost of a Harley education.
We will continue to provide periodic updates on this Web site.
Please also save the date for Sept. 26, 2012 for an evening presentation at Harley by Chris Costanza, Tom Johnson, and John Nichols to share updates and visuals. This will be an informative and quite thrilling event open to the entire Harley community—you don’t want to miss it! More details will be made available as they are finalized.
Best Wishes,
Valerie Myntti
Interim Head of School