This year our annual construction tour will be held at the NYS Capitol building. We will first tour the job site then meet for dinner at the Albany Room, located on the concourse level of the Empire State Plaza. You should plan to arrive for the tour between 5:00 and 5:15 pm. The tour will start at 5:15 pm and end approximately at 6:15 pm. We will meet at the Albany Room for dinner at approximately 6:30 pm.
Our construction tour will be lead by the NYS Office of General Services Capitol Architect, Jim Jamieson. As the Capitol Architect for the NYS Office of General Services Design & Construction Group, Jim Jamieson has the responsibility for all new construction, reconstruction, restoration and preservation at the Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, and the Executive Mansion in Albany. He is also the agency’s Historic Preservation Officer.
Jim attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA where he received the Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1981.
In addition to being a member of the A.I.A., Jim is the Chairman of the Historic Commission, City of Schenectady; a member of the Mayor’s Washington Park Lakehouse Task Force in Albany; the National Trust for Historic Preservation; the New York State Capitol Restoration Commission; the New York State Preservation League and the Society of Architectural Historians.
Jim has won awards from the Bomanite Corporation for Best Bomanite Project - Northeast Region, Silver Award in 1998; and received honors from the New York State Adirondack Park Agency, with their Special Recognition Award in February 14, 2000; and from the New York State Division of Parole with their Special Commendation in June 13, 2002.
Jim lives in a 100 year old historic home in the G.E. Realty Plot historic district in Schenectady.
Awards and Recent Publications
Preservation League of New York State, Preservation League Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation 2003, Restoration of the Skylight and Laylight, New York State Capitol, May 14, 2003.
Times Union, Best Architectural Interior in the Capital Region, Great Western Staircase and the New York State Capitol.
Hudson Valley Magazine, the Best of the Hudson Valley 2003, Best Interior Lighting, State Capitol Building Skylight Restoration.
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) International Gold Circle Award for 2003, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS - REROOFING, Restoration of the Roof and Skylight, New York State Capitol, February 2004
PBS Documentary, WMHT Schenectady, NY (PBS) TV-17 FLOOD OF LIGHT - RESTORING NEW YORK’S CAPITOL ROOF, premiered June 1, 2003.
Rising to the Challenge: Roofing Rehabilitation of the New York State Capitol, Interface Magazine, Journal of the Roof Consultants Institute, January 2004, Volume XXII, No. 1.
Where Progress Is Being Made In Albany, The New York Times, May 24, 2004, Pages B1 and B5.
PBS Documentary, WMHT Schenectady, NY (PBS) TV-17 LEGACY IN STONE - RESTORING
NEW YORK’S CAPITOL ROOF, premiered October 4, 2004.
Directions to the Capitol Building:
From the North: Take Interstate I-87 (Northway) to Interstate I-90 East (Exit 1E). Take Interstate I-90 East to Interstate 787 South. Take Exit 3A for the Empire State Plaza.
From the South: Take New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) to Exit 23 - straight through Toll Booth to Interstate 787, then take Exit 3 for the Empire State Plaza.
From the East: Take Interstate 90 West to Exit # B1 (I-90). Continue on I-90 to Interstate 787 South. Follow I-787 South to Exit 3A for the Empire State Plaza.
From the West: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to Exit 24 (Albany), proceed east on Interstate 90 to Interstate 787 South. Take Exit 3A for the Empire State Plaza.
Parking:
Parking is $2.00 after 4:00 pm in the V lot (P-3 North) underground garage, located as you enter the Empire State Plaza from 787.
Parking is free in the East Garage after 4:00 pm. See map to determine route to East Garage. This is a further walk to the Albany Room and Capitol.
Metered street parking is available. Meters require quarters until 6:00 pm. If you plan to park in a meter location, please bring quarters with you. Depending on the parking spot, meters allow for 1 hour, 2 hour and 4 hour parking near the Capitol.
Gathering Location:
We will gather at the following location: On State Street, in the middle of the block between Swan Street and Eagle Street, at the Plaza opening, across from the Capitol Building.
To enter the Capitol building you will need to be checked through Security. We are requesting with your signup, you include you driver license identification number. This will expedite the Security check. You must bring your license with you to participate on the tour. Security staff will be checking it.