Jacobs has been selected to serve as the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s (DASNY) technical advisor for the progressive design-build project delivering the New York State Department of Health’s new Wadsworth Center Public Health Laboratory. This project is an advanced public health laboratory in Albany. This project alongside the Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department will improve health care services in New York.
The new 663,000 gross–square foot five-story laboratory will support highly specialized clinical, environmental and research activities.
Cost
The project is expected to cost $1.7 billion. Additionally, the Wadsworth Center will consolidate multiple laboratory sites into a single, modern campus. It will strengthen New York’s long-term public health readiness and research capacity. Also, it will enhance New York’s ability to respond to emerging biological and environmental threats.
Jacobs is providing consulting and technical advisory services across architectural, engineering and construction disciplines, representing DASNY and the New York State Department of Health while working with the design-build joint venture of Gilbane Building Company and Turner Construction Company, in association with HOK.
Additionally, Jacobs Executive Vice President Imad Feghali said: “Large-scale public health laboratories demand rigorous technical oversight to support safety, reliability and adaptability over decades of operation. Jacobs’ independent technical advice is helping DASNY and the New York State Department of Health make informed decisions that advance regulatory compliance, operational resilience and long-term public health outcomes.”
Significance of the Facility
The Wadsworth Center will fulfill a critical role in disease surveillance, outbreak response, environmental testing and newborn screening programs that protect communities in New York and beyond. The Wadsworth Center is a national reference laboratory. It is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies. Furthermore, its construction is expected to be completed in 2030.
Jacobs Global Portfolio
Around the world, Jacobs supports governments, healthcare providers and research institutions in planning and delivering complex health infrastructure and laboratory facilities. Engineering News-Record ranks Jacobs No. 1 in both healthcare and pharmaceuticals facilities. Jacobs has worked on more than 100 healthcare projects including the Johns Hopkins Medicine campus redevelopment in Baltimore, U.S., Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital redevelopment in Sydney.
New Wadsworth Center Public Health Laboratory Factsheet
Project Name: New Wadsworth Center Public Health Laboratory
Location: W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Cam, Albany, New York, USA
Project Cost: $1.7 Billion
Current Status: Construction Underway (Groundbreaking and site preparation officially launched in early 2026)
Estimated Completion / Full Operations: 2030
Facility Size: 663,000 gross square feet
Workforce Capacity: Designed to permanently house nearly 800 specialized scientific and administrative staff.
Owner/Project Delivery Authority: Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) on behalf of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
Design-Build Joint Venture Lead: Gilbane Building Company & Turner Construction Company
Lead Design/Architect Partner: HOK
Technical Advisor: Jacobs
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