April 4, 2003

Phase one construction comes to a close

When the last steel beam was put into place for the topping-off ceremony March 26 (see related story), phase one of construction for the new Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care ended, and the second phase began. Although workers were met with harsh weather conditions during the winter months, construction of the hospital's much-needed ambulatory care building, slated to open in 2004, continues on schedule.

After more steel beams are put into place during the next few weeks, concrete slabs will be poured, dividing the building into 10 stories. The next phase of work is the curtain wall, which is the building's exterior facade or skin. Starting from the lowest floor, the curtain wall slowly will begin to enclose the structure. At the same time, large pieces of air handling equipment, such as air conditioning and heating and ventilation systems, will be placed on top of the building by large cranes. Construction of the six-level underground parking garage also is proceeding on schedule, with excavation of the fifth floor just getting underway.

Once the curtain wall is completed in August, the fully enclosed building will allow the interior work to take place in a controlled environment. Passersby will begin to see the distinctive design of interior glass corridors on the east side of the building, overlooking the Fruit Street Garage. These glass corridors eventually will allow patients and visitors to see beautiful views over Beacon Hill and the Charles River.

In July 2001, the east wing of the historic Charles Street Jail was dismantled with plans to rebuild a section of the structure for the new building. Work soon will begin on this reconstructed section, and construction of part of the lobby of the new building will commence. Some preliminary landscaping, paving and building of roadways will take place this summer, with most of this work to occur next year.