A new roof on the Carrier Dome is one step closer to reality.

On Tuesday night the Syracuse Planning Commission approved Syracuse University’s plan to replace the 37-year-old covering.

The new roof — part of SU’s $118 million project to renovate the Dome — will be a flexible “cable-truss” structure that’s more stable than the current air-supported roof. Pictures released by SU show that part of the roof will be semi-transparent, providing natural light for the facility.

The university announced in May that it planned to add air conditioning, WiFi capabilities, new concessions spaces, a vertical hung scoreboard and improved sound and lighting systems at the Dome. The roof replacement and other renovations are expected to be completed by fall 2020.

A steel crown-truss structure will be built on top of the existing concrete ring wall of the Dome, according to SU’s application to the commission. The original project plan for the Dome was approved in 1979 and construction was finished in 1981.

SU staffers were present at the meeting at City Hall, but did not speak to members of the commission about the proposal. Commission members said little consideration was needed because the proposed roof doesn’t change the function, environmental footprint or area-ratio of the facility, which were all considered in 1979.

“It’s simply replacing the existing roof with a newer roof to provide the same kind of functionality as before, but improve safety and so forth,” said commission chairperson Steve Kulick, after the meeting.  

Kulick said more consideration would’ve been needed if the university had proposed changes to the Dome’s footprint or function.

At a May press conference, Amir Rahnamay-Azar, SU’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, said the new roof will have a 40-year lifespan, which is more than double the lifespan of the current roof. He also said maintenance on the new roof will be less costly.

Funding for the renovation project will come from three major sources, he said: philanthropy, university reserves and long-term financing.

Christine Capella-Peters, a member of the commission, said she didn’t know if SU would come back to the commission in the future to request approval for the Dome renovations.

Published on October 9, 2018 at 10:10 pm

Contact Casey: casey@dailyorange.com | @caseydarnell_