Construction crews have started work on a massive new public health laboratory in Albany that state leaders say will reshape how New York handles future health threats.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that construction is officially underway on the $1.7 billion Wadsworth Center laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility designed to strengthen disease detection, research, and emergency response across New York. The lab is expected to open in 2030.
One lab, one campus
The new facility will consolidate five separate Wadsworth Center sites spread across the Albany area into a single, modern complex on the W. Averell Harriman Campus.
State officials say the move will improve coordination, modernize aging infrastructure, and better prepare New York for public health crises. Nearly 800 staff members will work in the building once it opens.
Since 1901, the Wadsworth Center has grown into the largest and most diverse state public health laboratory in the nation.
A major public investment
“The new Wadsworth Center Laboratory is a powerful investment in the health of every person in New York State,” Hochul said. “The lab will allow the State to better predict and prepare for emerging threats to public health and will be one of the most authoritative public health laboratories in the country, impacting public health policy and practice at the state, national and international level.”
The project represents one of the largest public investments in the Capital Region in decades, according to state lawmakers.
Designed for the future
The five-story building will span 663,000 square feet and feature flexible lab spaces designed to adapt over time. State officials say the design prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability.
The design-build team includes Gilbane Building Company and Turner Construction Company, working with HOK architects. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York is overseeing construction.
“DASNY is proud to deliver this transformational $1.7 billion project for the Department of Health,” said Robert J. Rodriguez, DASNY’s president and CEO. “This represents one of the most significant public health laboratory projects in the nation.”
A national leader in public health
The Wadsworth Center already serves as a national reference lab recognized by the CDC and other federal agencies. Its work includes infectious disease surveillance, environmental health testing, and toxicology.
Recent efforts include detecting the 2022 poliovirus outbreak, leading New York’s wastewater surveillance program, and developing diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, Mpox, and influenza. The center also screens more than 210,000 newborns each year for more than 50 disorders.
Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the new lab reflects a long-term commitment to public health science.
“This facility will help us ensure our nation-leading public health research laboratory remains on the cutting edge of biomedical and environmental research critical to protecting public health,” McDonald said.
Economic and academic impact
The lab’s location near the University at Albany is expected to deepen academic partnerships that date back decades. It will also sit next to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Laboratory.
Local leaders say the project will bring jobs, economic activity, and long-term growth to Albany and the surrounding region.
“The start of construction is the first step,” Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said. “Streamlining, modernization and consolidation are key components in keeping New York out front when it comes to protecting public health from emerging threats.”
The Wadsworth Center marks its 125th anniversary this year. State officials say the new laboratory will carry that legacy forward for generations.
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