Cornell’s Breazzano Family Center at 209-215 Dryden Road is closed up for the winter. Literally, with white plastic sheeting, as a protective measure against the elements while interior work moves along. The plywood holes on the front and back sides are removable so that a lift can deliver materials to different floors of the 6-story building. One can make out the dramatic entry foyer above the steel stretching out the sheeting above the ground floor. Note that the height of the building, 80 feet, is the maximum permitted under Collegetown’s form zoning (MU-2, up to 6 floors or up to 80 feet).
The plan is to have the new 76,300 SF building open by Summer 2017. Hayner Hoyt Corporation of Syracuse is the general contractor.
After the last Breazzano update a couple months ago, I had contacted Cornell to do a piece about the expanding Executive MBA program, what’s driving the growth, why Collegetown, and so on…but after being led around or misled by several emails over a few weeks, I gave up on the piece. For what it’s worth, Poets and Quants did a thoughtful article and interview here with the Johnson School Dean, Soumitra Dutta, talking about the future of the MBA program and the business school merger with the Dyson/AEM program and the Hotel School. Maybe I’d have had better luck if I just sidestepped Cornell’s PR unit.
Ithacating in Cornell Heights 
Maybe it’s just me, but why does Cornell seem so defensive about development?
A part of it is that, because they play such a big role in the regional economy, they’re everyone’s scapegoat, regardless of whether or not something is in their control. But given my experiences with them, they aren’t helping themselves. Cornell’s PR unit only reaches out or responds when the school is upset about something.
Or to say thank you for the ongoing and unmatched coverage of the local development scene. You’re right on this one. I dropped the ball on you. Shoot me an email today and we’ll get you set up with the folks you need.