Campus Construction Update 1

Spring has sprung, and pollen is not the only thing moving on campus. There is also a heap of dirt being unearthed. Augusta University is continuing to grow Beyond Boundaries, and here is a brief look at current Facilities and Construction projects on the Health Sciences Campus that reflect this:

College of Science and Mathematics: Plans have been finalized to build the new College of Science and Mathematics on the Health Sciences Campus adjacent to the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons and The Dental College of Georgia. You may have noticed the fencing and digging adjacent to the Harrison Commons at the corner of Goss Lane and R.A. Dent Boulevard. This preliminary infrastructure expansion work involves the South Energy Plant, steam and chilled water lines, and other infrastructure elements that must be completed before site work and construction can begin.

The 124,518-square-foot design for the new College of Science and Mathematics building has been approved. The $70 million project and actual site work is expected to begin in mid-May, which will include the permanent closing of parking Lot 10. You will begin to see temporary fencing and signs go up a few weeks before the lot closes and work commences. As outlined in the Campus Master Plan, “the move allows the College to bridge the health sciences and medical education at the Health Sciences Campus with the liberal arts education and professional degrees at Summerville. This also enables the other three colleges at Summerville to grow.”

Residence VI Demolition: During April and May, new parking will be added to Lots 35 and 36, which have been closed since January for the demolition of the Residence VI buildings. The former dormitories were razed and removed from the property adjacent to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home and Econolodge on 15th Street in March. This site will be cleaned and redeveloped for more surface parking. Not only will the new lot go from gravel to pavement, but the capacity is expected to increase by at least 70 parking spaces. Site work for parking will begin the week of April 1.

Chafee Avenue Clinic: Much of the site prep has been completed for a new health care clinic on Chafee Avenue behind the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. The $5.5 million building will house specialists who treat infectious diseases and the Ryan White Program. Construction of the 17,570-square-foot facility is expected to be finished in January 2020.

Gamma Knife Reload: If you noticed crews “breaking into” the concrete wall near Entrance A at AU Medical Center, there is no need for alarm. Periodically, the gamma knife, a form or radiation therapy on the first floor of the hospital’s Talmadge wing, is serviced to ensure the appropriate care for patients. As an academic medical center, AU Health utilizes this innovative equipment to provide cutting-edge treatments for patients who need precise, non-invasive brain surgery. A portion of the wall must be temporarily removed to access and service the equipment. The gamma knife reload is expected to wrap up by mid-April.

There are also renovations and upgrades being made inside buildings on the Health Sciences Campus that may not be noticeable, but will help further our mission.

Health Sciences Building: Renovations are being made to several classrooms in the Health Sciences Building, which houses the College of Nursing and the College of Allied Health Sciences, including audiovisual upgrades, paint, sound panels and minor electrical improvements. The 2019 fiscal year funded efforts are expected to be completed in May. Additional renovations are scheduled for fiscal year 2020.

UGA Pharmacy Collaboration: The HM Building, which is home to the University of Georgia Pharmacy program at Augusta University, is undergoing Phase 2 of major renovations. This 16,280-square-foot building sits adjacent to the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center.  Since 1972, this pharmacy collaboration has been providing educational and research opportunities on the health sciences campus.

Phase I, completed during 2016, included renovations to create additional instructional, office, and support spaces for the UGA Pharmacy teams. Phase 2 includes the development of new research and lab space. Construction is  scheduled to finish near the end of April.

The Facilities Services team appreciates your patience as our campuses continue to grow and change.

Coming up next in Jagwire, we will share construction projects happening on the Summerville Campus of Augusta University.