Governor Hochul Announces First Phase of New $750 Million Wadsworth Public Health Laboratory

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the award of an initial design contract to advance the creation of a new $750 million state-of-the-art public health laboratory on the Harriman State Office Campus Complex in Albany to serve New York State’s public health needs.

"Wadsworth has served as a global leader in COVID research throughout the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "New York is proud to support Wadsworth's scientists and public health experts with the development of a new world-class laboratory facility to continue their critical groundbreaking research. We will continue to lead the way in investing in the best scientific expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to boost our preparedness for future public health crises, and attract and retain the finest scientists in the world here in New York."

The joint venture of Gilbane/Turner in association with the design firm HOK has been selected for the design and construction of a new Wadsworth Laboratory that will seek to consolidate operations currently spread out among several Capital Region facilities. The contract will be comprised of several phases: this initial investment will explore options for a new basis of design, ranging from partial to full consolidation of Wadsworth facilities, with a particular view toward enhancing the State’s readiness to effectively respond to potential future public health crises.

The Wadsworth Laboratory, which played a central role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on a wide range of critical public health concerns, including responding to public health threats, studying emerging infections, analyzing environmental exposures, and licensing clinical and environmental laboratories, among many other critical responsibilities. Since its origins developing communicable diseases treatments in 1901 and the development of the Division of Laboratories and Research in 1914, the Wadsworth Center has grown to become the largest and most diverse state public health laboratory in the US.

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Reuben McDaniel III said, “The importance of the Wadsworth Lab’s mission has never been more clear. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York is proud to work in partnership with the Department of Health to develop what will be a leading facility to address New York’s public health needs.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “As New York State's nationally recognized public health laboratory, the Wadsworth Center is uniquely positioned to respond to public health emergencies as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initial investment ensures the building of a state-of-the-art laboratory to continue and strengthen the expert analysis of disease specimens and environmental samples to protect the health of all New Yorkers."

State Senator Neil Breslin said, "We saw first-hand the integral role the Wadsworth Laboratory played in helping us to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in our public health preparedness has never been more important which is why securing funding for the new $750 million Wadsworth Public Health Laboratory in this year's State Budget was critical. I applaud Governor Hochul for her swift action in announcing the phase one award so we can boost New York's readiness for future public health challenges."

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “I’m thrilled to see this commitment to match the world-renowned reputation of Wadsworth Laboratory with state-of-the-art labs. I look forward to working to ensure that this investment is the key spark in leveraging more science and research investment to catapult us toward a Capital Region research triangle, one that is located within a transformed eastern Harriman Campus, fully integrated with the City of Albany. Developing a world-class scientific ecosystem in the core of the Capital Region could not be more warranted amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I commend Governor Kathy Hochul, Health Commissioner Mary Bassett, Capital Region colleagues and leaders, and so many more for their work on this project.”

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "Today's announcement by Governor Hochul as it relates to the first of many contracts related to the construction of the new Wadsworth Laboratory is exciting news for the Capital Region. Through the testament of time the Wadsworth Public Health Laboratory has been the consistent, reliable, and authoritative source for research and all components related to public health. This step is not only relevant to the Capital Region but also to the state, the nation, and the world. The COVID-19 response is just one of a long history of public health responses over our nation's history and I am pleased to see our long time advocacy to retain and grow a state of the art facility here in the Capital Region is finally bringing real results."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Not only has Wadsworth been critical to our response to COVID-19 as well as studying other infectious outbreaks like Zika and Ebola, but investing in this facility is a huge victory for our local economy and the creation of highly-skilled and well-paying jobs. This consolidation project will have a multiplier effect in growing the life sciences industry cluster here in Albany County that will serve to attract others in the future, including medical equipment development and manufacturing, academic medical centers and more. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her vision and for this incredible investment in our community.”

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I am so grateful to Governor Hochul for taking this important next step to create a new Wadsworth Laboratory at the Harriman Campus. This transformative project will create new temporary and permanent jobs, and keeps this important public health resource here in New York’s Capital City. Consolidating laboratories in one location will allow for increased collaboration to continue the important work in the fight against COVID and allow operations at Wadsworth to continue and expand on studying and responding to other critical public health threats, infections, and environmental exposures. I also want to give special thanks to our Capital City Delegation of Senator Breslin and Assemblymembers Fahy and McDonald for helping secure the $750 million needed for this critical investment in the largest and most diverse state public health laboratory in the country.”

Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “As a vital resource in the State’s response to public health emergencies, the new Wadsworth Lab will be a welcome and valuable addition to the W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Campus in Albany. We look forward to supporting this critical Department of Health initiative.”