The Week of March 15, 2020 — Despite the Global Coronavirus Pandemic, Predicted Rain This Week, The Work at the Construction Site Goes On.
The featured image for this post is of the aerial tower that now extends to the eleventh floor of the Adult Hospital tower. Last week, seven (7) sections were disassembled and brought down in sections by the aerial lifts. It is uncertain if a telescopic crane will be brought in to remove the remaining sections. Tarps have been hung in the leave out bays not only to keep out the in-climate weather but to maintain a more even temperature inside the building.
Because of the predicted rain, I decided to take a quick tour of the construction site on Sunday, March 15, 2020. I found a skeleton crew there working inside the building, where for the most part the temperature is being regulated. Now that three of the interior elevators are working, it is not as easy to determine on what floors the laborers are working. When the aerial lifts were operational, one could easily tell by the cages as they stopped at the various floors as they traveled up and down the aerial towers. The labors on the outside weren’t so lucky. They had to cope with unregulated temperatures, mud, puddles, clouds, and an occasional sprinkle.
It seemed to me, that those I encountered on site seemed to be less upbeat. Perhaps it was because they had to work on Sunday. Perhaps they were despondent over the fact that fewer sports would be on TV when they got home as more and more teams were cancelling or postponing games due to the virus. Perhaps they were reflecting the general mood of uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, they soldiered on!
When I noticed the telescopic boom at center right, I thought at first, the crane had arrived to dismantle the aerial lift first thing Monday morning. upon looking at a different image from a variant angle, I realized, the crane was on site to hang the GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) cladding on the side of the Schuman Pavilion elevator tower.This is the image, I had taken earlier in the day. I was so engrossed in missing the mud and puddles of water, I failed to notice the GFRC cladding on the Schuman Pavilion Elevator tower. At the time this photo was taken, the crane was locked behind a security fence. It wasn’t until approximately 5:00 PM that it would be set up for the nights work. I learned that the initial install of the GFRC cladding began on Saturday night (March 14, 2020).A closeup of the GFRC cladding as viewed from the Medical Center’s main entrance temporary drop off zone.I wonder if a deal can be made between the aerial lift company and the GFRC cladding company, where the aerial lift company can share the crane the cost to complete the removal of the lift tower? Come early Monday morning we will see.
I guess the pandemic is hitting close to home!
Sunday evening (March 15, 2020) while working on this post, a breaking news story appeared on my phone. It stated that all seniors (I guess that would include me) in California are supposed to be in some sort of home isolation program. Refer to the following news clipping from the internet. I wonder when this measure will become a state order?
The Sunday night install began at 8:30 PM under the lights
Sunset and lights: Waiting for the trucks loaded with the GFRC to arrive.Installation of the GFRC cladding began at 8:30 PM. In this image a GFRC door frame is hoisted across the lot to where it will be set. A one-story panel is being lifted off o the flatbed.As the early morning sun illuminated the towers, The exterior of the Schuman Pavilion Elevator Tower (center right) blanketed the steel frame with the GFRC cladding material.
Farewell to the Remaining Sections of the Aerial Lift
At the end of last last week (March 13, 2020), the aerial lift tower stood eleven-stories above grade. By the end of the day the aerial lift was but a memory. Go to the following link to view the post:
The east and north elevation of the Schuman Pavilion Elevator Tower. The cladding project was completed by the time the main entrance temporary drop off zone reopened on Monday morningA view of the Schuman Pavilion Elevator Tower as viewed from the northeast corner of the Galleria.The south elevation of the Schuman Pavilion Elevator Tower, which is cut out around the Schuman Pavilion Pedestrian Bridge.
Unfortunately, the Coronavirus (COVID 19) Has Become Part of the Tapestry of This Blog
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus (COVID 19) a pandemic. As this virus is nothing like the world has seen before in our lifetime, I would be remiss not to occasionally mention the outbreak as it effects every life, albeit some more than others, around the world. Loma Linda University Health (aka Loma Linda University Medical Center) is equipped to handle the COVID 19 virus as a level 1 trauma center for the Inland Empire and San Bernardino County.
This Executive Order was given Thursday evening March 19, 2020.
A Smorgasbord of Images Happening in and Around the Construction Site
The Emergency Generator Plant — Update
A view of the emergency generator plant concrete pad as viewed from the 16th floor Terrace Balcony.From the Southwest Corner: The carpenters are building the forms for the west side stem wall on which the exterior GFRC cladding (walls) will be set.From the Northeast Corner: Standing inside the transformer room looking toward the Loma Linda University Medical Center (center). To the right is the cogeneration (power) plant. To the left is the Adult Hospital tower, which is under construction. From the Northeast Corner: The east side stem wall forms are being constructed on which the exterior GFRC cladding (walls) will be set.From the Northeast Corner: At the center left is the electrical switchgear equipment sump.From the Northwest Side: A look at the rebar in the stem wall form. To the right is Taylor Court, which runs into Prospect Avenue and the main entrance to the hospital campus.
Pouring Concrete For the Storm Drains on the South Side
After the all the underground pipes along with storm drain pipes have been laid below grade, surveyors begin to survey the property defining the streets, and parking lots after which the rough grade starts. Before the curbs and gutters go in, the storm drains are set at grade with curb abutments set at each end. This section features the storm drains that were being poured today (March 20, 2020) on the south side of the project adjacent to Barton Road.
The eastern most (near the entrance to the Emergency Department) storm drain fronting Barton RoadOn the west side of what will be the Emergency Department entrance off of Barton Road, a crew is smoothing out the recently poured concrete. During the rough grade preparation a lot of soil will be removed to bring the frontage road to grade. The bank fronting Barton Road will slope down to the curb where the men are working. Further west, the concrete crew moves just poured concrete around. Notice that the grade of the newly poured gutter is getting closer to the existing grade to the right.Further down (to the west) a carpenter crew is forming another storm drain and gutter section.
The South Yard — Update
Make ready work continues on the south side in preparation for the survey and rough grade crew to come in and level out the central section of what will be the ambulance parking. In the center of the image a crew is working on the roof of the overhang covering the ambulance unloading doors. At the center right, behind the red K-rails men are connecting shutoff valves in a terraced pit.Pipe fitters in the pit installing shutoff valves.On the other side of the pit where the shutoff valves are being installed, a large section has been cleared for the surveyors. The soffit that runs along the south side of the Emergency Room Departments. Note the scaffolding under and around the overhang covering the ambulance unloading doors.From the Frontage Road North of Barton Road: The west end of the south yard where the parking lot has had the first layer of asphalt laid. Construction Haulaway storage contains are now being moved from the southeast corner to this location. This relocation is necessary as the make ready work moves east along the south side of the Emergency Department.From the east end of the Pediatric drop-off parking lot, which is located on the west end of the podium.
The Galleria and Main Entrance — Update
Freshly poured curbs on which the steel studs for the various rooms had just been poured when I entered the Galleria.
From the west side of the Galleria looking toward the children’s lobby and play area at the far (east) end. Off of the corridor leading into the chapel the are two meditation rooms. A larger meditation room is located off of the corridor leading into the main hospital lobby. A closer view of the Galleria’s west side.More into the central area of the Galleria.Facing west from the northeast corner of the children’s lobby & play area.
Southeast Stem Wall Concrete Pour
The stem wall footings are being poured. Once the concrete has cured, the GFRC cladding will be set on the curb and anchored to the parapet above.
The West Corridor and Pedestrian Bridge — Update
The west corridor, where at the moment there is a lot of construction going on this side of the project. To the right in the foreground there is a pile of dirt that was excavated from where concrete will be poured for the loading dock. The excavated pit is behind the mound of dirt. To the left, black plastic is covering the opening that was once the main entrance to the Children’s Hospital. To the right and adjacent to the excavated pit is a canopy that is in its final stage of completion. Work continues in, on, and around the connecting pedestrian bridge. A drainage system will be placed on either side of the underground tunnel.
Reflections
On my way toward the red K-rail, I had to stop and snap a photo of the clouds reflected off of the Children’s Hospital glass tower.The Loma Linda Hills reflected in the Children’s Hospital tower.The southeast side of the existing Children’s Hospital is reflected in the bank of windows on the south side of the west pedestrian bridge.For the first time, I noticed that the opaque fins on the Adult Hospital tower reflected the azure color of the sky. I was a beautiful sight.Even on the 16th floor, the windows on the terrace balcony reflect the valley floor and mountains beyond.Like a widescreen TV, the north side of the Adult Hospital tower reflects the billowing clouds over the valley floor.The west section of the Adult Hospital tower reflects the overhead clouds.Even at 9:00 AM on a cloudy day, the towers on the east side reflect the morning clouds.
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
what does the back of the schumann plaza tower look like.
Dennis E. Park, MA
Just like the sides that you see on the other three sides.
Jim
Just wanted to say a Bigg Thank you to our boy Dennis, thank you for going out of your way to adding us into Docuvision2020.
Jimbo
Otis
Giving the World a Lift
Dennis E. Park, MA
My pleasure, Jimbo:
Despite your daily ups and downs you and your crew are doing a magnificent job! I’ve enjoyed kidding the guys, and I thank you and them for letting me hang around! Now, let’s all go FISHIN’!
what does the back of the schumann plaza tower look like.
Just like the sides that you see on the other three sides.
Just wanted to say a Bigg Thank you to our boy Dennis, thank you for going out of your way to adding us into Docuvision2020.
Jimbo
Otis
Giving the World a Lift
My pleasure, Jimbo:
Despite your daily ups and downs you and your crew are doing a magnificent job! I’ve enjoyed kidding the guys, and I thank you and them for letting me hang around! Now, let’s all go FISHIN’!
Dennis