
At a glance
“I am proud to have worked with CATCO, C&S Companies, and the State University of New York Construction Fund on this project. We thought outside the box and were able to accomplish the goals of the construction while reducing waste.”
Jon Nickerson

As outdoor construction wraps up for the season, Alfred State has several sustainability initiatives to celebrate. The efforts have reduced waste, improved water quality, and saved energy.
Over the past two years, Alfred State has replaced the college’s entire underground infrastructure. The project included new water lines, upgrades to the sewer and storm water lines, and installing new electrical and fiber conduits. The project widened the roads and sidewalks around campus and included the addition of a new water tower and treatment plant.
During the construction process, contractor CATCO was able to re-purpose waste concrete and utilize it as a sub-base material when the roads were repaved. Ninety tons of steel were also removed from the ground and recycled. This process prevented approximately 20,000 tons of material from being transported to a landfill. In all, 480 million BTUs of energy were saved by this process.
Alfred State Director of Facilities Jon Nickerson is excited about the initiatives used. “I am proud to have worked with CATCO, C&S Companies, and the State University of New York Construction Fund on this project. We thought outside the box and were able to accomplish the goals of the construction while reducing waste.”
C&S Companies Principal Engineer Dwight Wethey was excited to be part of this work. “This project allowed C&S Companies to collaborate with SUCF, Alfred State, and CATCO in a way that aligns with our mission to contribute to a sustainable and resilient future. Adding to the experience was that several of our engineers and architects are Alfred State alums.”
The sewer and storm lines, along with the new water tower and water treatment have already shown a positive impact on the environment. The infiltration chamber controls runoff water and diverts pollutants from entering a protected trout stream.
Nickerson continued, “We are using approximately 6,000 gallons less of water a day and the water quality has improved. The infiltration chambers slow down the water, removes pollution, and puts it back into the ground.”
The project included a one-to-one tree replacement plan, and a new park setting was added around a retention pond near the front entrance of the scenic campus.
Besides the infrastructure project, Alfred State has added new outdoor areas for students and the community to use. A disc golf course was opened, new seating areas have been added outside Central Dining Hall and across campus, and upgrades were made to the volleyball court outside of the MacKenzie Complex.
New construction is underway at the Agriculture Science Building that will reduce the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of the building from 243 to 49.2. Another construction project in the Pioneer Center will focus on upgrading the mechanicals within the building for further efficiencies.
Nickerson will be presenting details of this construction project to an upcoming meeting of the New York Association of Physical Plant Administrators.