Summer 2011 update
With the demolition of the West Wing and the assembly of the crane late in 2010, construction of the two story addition (the third level is a penthouse for mechanical equipment) is taking shape along McConnell Avenue. The wooden forms are up to shape the concrete into the necessary walls for the addition. Although these forms can be removed after a few days, the concrete takes 21 days of curing to reach optimum strength.
A lot of preparation work for the new addition is now complete. The hospital is now protected by two new emergency generators incase power from the grid is lost. Two new boilers are now on line to supply the building with required steam for heating and sterilization. The chiller plant with the two cooling towers that can be seen sitting behind the boiler house are slated to start up later this year. There is a lot of activity in the tower penthouse where new equipment is being placed with piping and duct work to hook up the air handling units which sit on the north and south wings of the building. These units will supply controlled air to certain level of the exiting tower
The elevator core has begun to take shape on the outside of the existing hospital tower, which will connect the two buildings together. The construction or bump out closest to McConnell Ave is the new MRI Suite The steel structure north of the addition is the ambulance entrance for what will be the new emergency department. All of the masonry, cladding and roof work must be complete in order to enclose the building from the elements, which is scheduled to happen late this fall. All of the existing tower will receive new windows by the end of 2013.
Once the building is enclosed, the interior work will begin on both levels. Diagnostic imaging rooms and the new Emergency Department, along with a new Cafeteria, Patient Registration and the Foundation will be occupying the first level of the newly constructed space. Completion of this section of the addition will allow these departments to move in the early fall 2012. Construction will then continue on the 2nd level of the addition where the Operating Rooms will be located. Completion of the 2nd level of the addition should be complete and ready to move in by mid-fall of 2012.
Renovations will continue in the existing tower to make necessary improvements to accommodate the entire organization on one site. These should be complete by the end of 2013.
Demolition photo gallery click here
Construction photo gallery click here