Building Osgoode Key Milestones

By nmahadeo

  • Independent facilities study commissioned

    Late 2000 – York University commissions an independent facilities study by Educational Consulting Services (“ECS”). The ECS Facilities Study, delivered in March 2001, recommends major renovations to the existing building as well as the construction of additional space to accommodate the growth that has occurred in programming, graduate students and faculty since the construction of the building in 1968.

  • UEC accepts study findings

    The University Executive Committee, a senior management committee chaired by the President of the University, accepts the findings of the ECS Facilities Study and adds the Osgoode Renovation and Expansion Project to the list of the University’s long-term capital projects.

  • Needs specification and project plan developed

  • Project plan approved in principle

    The project plan is approved in principle by the University Executive Committee. The University then creates a Project Committee, chaired by the Assistant Vice President, Campus Services and Business Operations, and issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an architect.

  • Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. retained

    Following a competitive process, the University retains Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. as the project architects.

  • Schematic design and preliminary costing developed

    From 2004 to 2006 – Under the supervision of the Project Committee, and in consultation with the users of the building, Diamond and Schmitt develops a schematic design and a preliminary costing for the project. During this period, the Law School also launches the “quiet phase” of the Building Osgoode Campaign, which is designed to raise external funding to support the renovation and expansion plan.

  • Board of Governors approves schematic design

    The University’s Board of Governors approves the schematic design and preliminary costing for the project, subject to development of a final funding plan to be reviewed and approved by the Board prior to the awarding of a construction contract.

  • Team of project consultants assembled

    Over the next 18 months – A team of project consultants is assembled, the design for the project is developed and a construction schedule is prepared based on an assumed May 2009 construction start date.

  • Public phase of the Building Osgoode Campaign launched

  • Building Osgoode Campaign has $8.5 million in funding commitments at this point

    The Building Osgoode Campaign has written commitments of approximately $8.5 million in external funding for the project by the fall of 2008.

  • Independent cost estimate prepared

    An independent cost estimate is prepared by Curran McCabe Ravindran Ross, with the total estimated construction cost being $42,424,000. A phasing plan for the implementation of the project is developed, in order to permit the maintenance of the Law School’s operations during the construction period. The planning for the project proceeds on the assumption that construction will commence in May 2009, and continue over an 18-month period.

  • Global financial crisis delays start of project

    As a result of impacts of the global financial crisis on the University’s finances, the University Executive Committee decides that the University is not able to proceed with the project until such time as significant additional funding commitments are received.

  • RFP issued for Construction Manager at Risk

    With the announcement of the Federal Infrastructure Funding program in the January 2009 Budget, and the potential for receiving funding for “shovel ready” projects, York University Procurement Services issues RFP 209-133 for a Construction Manager at Risk with a closing date for proposals of April 14, 2009.

  • Federal and provincial governments invest $25 million

    The federal and provincial governments announce that they will invest $25 million in the Osgoode Renovation and Expansion Project under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. See YFile story and view the video of the announcement.

  • Law Library relocation begins

    All texts in the call number range KF 396 to KF 5500 are relocated to the fourth floor of the Scott Library. The remainder of the Osgoode library collections will be moved in phases over the course of the summer.

  • Osgoode Launch 2009

    Osgoode students, faculty and staff come together at lunch hour for a fun-filled community event in front of the Law School to celebrate the start of the new academic year and the beginning of the renovation and expansion of the Law School building.