So there’s a lot going on. You can scroll through the 40+ photos below, or you can check out the conveniently placed webcam that EDR installed at all their projects. It seems like Mother Nature is out to stop this project at just about any cost – as explained by the Voice and the Times, EdR has lost 25 days of construction time due to weather (rain) delays, and that forced the project team to not only ask for extended hours earlier this year, but they also had to request earlier this month to be allowed to work on Saturdays. Now LeChase and their subcontractors have to contend with multiple days of subzero temperatures, in what is likely the longest and most severe cold snap in over a decade. It’s one complication after another. The webcams shows they’ve put up heavy-duty plastic sheeting to keep the extreme cold at bay as the crew continues work on the townhouse strings.
There are 27 buildings in some state of construction, from foundation work to framing to exterior facade application, and all manner of interior work from framing, to rough-ins, and for the furthest along, insulation and perhaps drywall hanging. Fixtures, primer coats of paint, and trim pieces (moldings, baseboard) will follow. There are have been some minor exterior design modifications (like the dormers in the buildings along Mitchell Street), but otherwise it’s as-approved.
More specifically:
Apartment Building B: Framing (top floor)
Apartment Building C: Framed, sheathed, windows fitted, some exterior facade materials attached
Apartment Building D: Foundation finished, stairwells erected, framing just starting
Apartment Building E: Foundation slab work
Apartment Building F: Foundation slab work
Townhouse Strings:
At, Bt, Ct, Dt, Ht1, Jt1, Jt2, Kt1, Community Center – unclear, not above ground level or readily visible
Et1 – slab
Ft, Gt2, Kt2 – framed, sheathed (partially for Gt-2), exterior facade work for Ft and Kt2
Gt1 – slab (in photos, now framing first floor based on webcam)
Ht2 – first floor framing
It1 – framed, sheathed, windows being fitted
It2 – framing
Lt, Mt – framing (top floor)
Nt, Ot, Pt – framed, windows fitted, fiber cement siding attached
I have to say, based off the work so far, I’m liking what I’m seeing, even with the tweaks the architectural designs and materials appear to be good quality. Here’s hoping the project team can maintain their tight schedule against the environmental odds.
Ithacating in Cornell Heights 
First off, thanks for braving the elements to provide all those pictures. Glad they have a camera on site (wish more projects in Ithaca had one). In your opinion, does the current construction schedule look like they might meet the deadline for completion?
It’ll be a task, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are still doing landscaping, interior and exterior finishing while the first tenants are moving in. But if the weather improves for the second half of the winter and the spring is normal, they should be okay. They don’t have much margin for error, given the size and purpose of the project.
I’m glad to see they added windows to those extra-tall peaked roofs on the townhouses. Maybe it’s an extra floor of apartments after all. (Actually, I noticed the window cutouts last month because I live in the area, but this is the first blog update that shows them).
I am glad they weren’t value-engineered out. Appears to be a different style than initially planned (squarish 2×2, vs the original tall, narrow casement).