The rectangular area bounded by Madison on the north, East Monument on the south, Rutland Avenue on the east and Broadway on the west will be in a state of flux for the next three years while the construction work progresses, according to John Grinnalds, senior director of the School of Medicine 's Office of Facilities Management. This is the most expensive research building we have built on this campus. It is slated to open in July 2003. Grinnalds said the fast-tracked project's urban location poses logistical challenges that will require street closings, pedestrian detours, loading dock relocations and a sensitivity to the daily operations of adjacent buildings.
Much work has to be done before actual construction can begin, however.
In this case, however, we have an 'enabling package' that has two or three months in front of it before we even get to that point. The enabling portion, or initial phase, of the project is focused on the demolition of the Administration Building, which requires the creation of temporary office space and the relocation of utilities and tenants. On Oct. 20, the Ross Plaza, located off East Monument Street, was closed to prepare for the placement of modular buildings that will house the office space. Steel to support the modular buildings and temporary construction fencing will be put in place this week. Demolition of the building is planned for mid-December.