The first speaker was Eric Dickey, Director of Planning at Cornell University and also project manager for this specific project. First, Sutcliffe gave an overview of the history of the project through a slide presentation beginning in 1940 when Doc Allen was seeking a place to retire in the 1950s. The cinder block lab was built in 1956 including the man made wetland. The lab has been integral to Cornell but has always been run independently. Programs have been expanded over the years and there is now a complex of outbuildings to accommodate the 100 staff members.
Plans are now to incorporate everything into one facility with wildlife wetland areas around it.
Sutcliff stated they have been working hard to keep the building low at the tree top level with the road coming from the south and going behind it. The building is proposed to be two stories. The first floor will be accessed from the south. The Fuerte s room will be expandable. Public functions such as the store will also be in that part.