ITHACA — Cornell University will relaunch the design phase of its new humanities building now that the buildings and properties committee of the Cornell Board of Trustees unanimously approved the measure Jan. 19, according to the Cornell Chronicle. It’s the first new building at Cornell in more than 100 years.

The process was put on hold in 2008 after the initial schematic drawings were produced, and plans now call for completing the design-development phase this year before bidding the project out and breaking ground in 2013, according to the Cornell Chronicle. Cornell expects to complete construction by December 2015.

The new building will provide increased space for the college’s humanities faculty, which has grown through an overall expansion of the humanities department, coupled with a successful faculty renewal hiring initiative. The 66,500-square-foot building will provide space for 124 rooms that can be used as offices or meeting space.

The project will employ about 100 construction workers including carpenters, painters, masons, electricians, and plumbers, the Cornell Chronicle reported.

Cornell also plans to apply for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and will work with local and regional suppliers as much as possible.

Contact DeLore at tgregory@cnybj.com