New York Construction Report staff writer
Construction has reached the topping-out milestone on New York state’s $1.7-billion Wadsworth Center Laboratory, with the final structural steel beam installed on the five-storey facility at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus.
The 663,000-sq. ft. laboratory is the largest construction project in the history of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). It will consolidate five New York State Department of Health laboratory sites across the Capital Region, bringing nearly 800 employees together in one facility.
Construction remains on schedule and on budget, according to the state.
The main laboratory building’s steel frame comprises more than 8,200 major structural steel pieces weighing approximately 5,545 tons. More than 200 skilled tradespeople are working on the project daily, with about 40 contractor businesses represented onsite.
With the structural steel frame complete, crews are continuing work on the building’s floors, applying fireproofing and installing electrical, plumbing and other building systems. Interior systems are expected to take shape through the fall, while installation of the exterior façade is scheduled to begin later this year.
The building is expected to be fully enclosed in 2027.
Construction began with site preparation in spring 2025, followed by foundation work and erection of the structural steel frame. The project is expected to reach substantial completion in late 2029, when the Department of Health will begin taking ownership of the facility and relocating laboratory operations. Final construction completion is anticipated in early 2030.
The Department of Health will own and operate the laboratory, with DASNY delivering the project on behalf of the state.
The design-build team is a joint venture between Gilbane Building Company and Turner Construction Company, working with HOK architects.
The facility is being designed to accommodate changing laboratory requirements over its expected service life, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability. Its operations will include infectious disease surveillance, wastewater testing, environmental health, newborn screening, diagnostic testing and laboratory oversight.
The state said participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses is exceeding the project’s combined 36 per cent participation goal.
At the topping-out ceremony, workers, project partners and state and local officials signed the final beam before it was lifted into place.
DASNY president and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said the milestone reflects the work of the skilled tradespeople and project partners delivering the facility in collaboration with the Department of Health.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the consolidated facility will support the Wadsworth Center’s public health research and its ability to respond to emerging health threats.
The project is also expected to support specialized employment and related economic activity in the Capital Region, while keeping the state’s public health laboratory operations concentrated in Albany.
