Copyright © NASA

Governor George Pataki speaks from the Bailey Hall steps as Cornell president Hunter Rawlings and Ithaca mayor Alan Cohen (far right) hold up a symbolic state check for renovation funding.

Gov. George Pataki visited Cornell University today (Sept. 23, 2000) during its Homecoming weekend and, with students, faculty and officials looking on, heard from President Hunter Rawlings how important a $13.1 million rehabilitation of Bailey Hall, a statutory college facility constructed in 1912, will be for the campus and Ithaca communities.

Rawlings expressed appreciation for the governor's leadership in securing the state's allocation of $10.6 million for the Bailey renovation. A gift of $2.5 million from George and the late Harriet Cornell makes up the university's share of $2.5 million for the project.

Rawlings said, "Governor, we thank you for the many actions you have taken in support of Cornell. We are fortunate to have such a strong advocate in Albany, and I am confident that the people of New York will continue to benefit from the investments you are making to strengthen Cornell and, indeed, the entire higher education community in the state of New York."

Design and construction of the Bailey renovation will be managed by the State University Construction Fund (SUCF), with direct involvement from Cornell regarding the scope of the project and the construction schedule. The renovation will include new seating; improved acoustics and lighting; new heating, electric and ventilation systems; and restoration of the building's exterior.

Bailey Hall is one of the university's most-utilized buildings for both academic and public events. It houses large lecture classes and is a venue for professional and student/faculty musical performances and public lectures by prominent speakers, including Kurt Vonnegut, Toni Morrison and the late Carl Sagan. It also houses a branch office of the Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union.

Photo by Charles Harrington/Cornell University. Copyright © Cornell University

Bailey Hall

A designated historic landmark, Bailey was designed by Edward Green, a prominent architect in Buffalo and 1878 graduate of Cornell. It is considered a fine example of early 20th century classical revival architecture, with its colonnaded portico and monumental stairs emphasizing its main entrance. Its main level and balcony provide seating for approximately 1,900 people.

Bailey has been in continuous use during its 88-year history and has undergone no major modifications since it was opened.

In addition to the Bailey Hall event, while on campus Pataki attended a lunch with Cornell officials and alumni and went to the Yale-Cornell football game on Schoellkopf field.