The Week of May 18, 2020 — Tidbits of a Little of This and a Little of That In and Around the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus
Indeed, Heroes Work Here!
The pandemic continues and the featured image for this week’s blog is a collage of four images. The top image is of a “Heroes Work Here” banner that hangs over the Parking Structure (P2) entrance. This banner is located on the west side of Campus Street and can be viewed by the majority of the healthcare employees as they leave their shifts. The banner, however played a more prominent role as it was displayed during the first- responders parade held recently on the Loma Linda University Health campus. The following link illustrates the support the medical staff received from the first-responders as the parade participants slowly made their way southward on Campus Street. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j1Yii3DDTE This event warrants inclusion on this website as the medical staff at Loma Linda University Health are part of the pandemic story that impacted the Loma Linda University Health campus during the construction of the Loma Linda University Health Medical Center and Children’s Hospital on the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus.
The three smaller images under the “Heroes Work Here” banner are related to the “Come Unto Me” statues which is currently located just north of the recently vacated main entrance to the Loma Linda University Medical Center. It is my understanding that the statues, which were dedicated on January 12, 2009, will be relocated to the east side of the Galleria and Main Entrance Canopy sometime in the Fall of this year. As I began my rounds this morning (05.19.20), I happened upon a small group (four individuals) who appeared to be in serious discussion. It turns out they were discussing the relocation and orientation placement of the “Come Unto Me” statues. One of the four individuals was the statue’s sculptor, Victor Issa. It was noted that over the years the statues have provided hope and assurance to thousands who have paused to linger and look at the life-like statues.
The “Come Unto Me” statues in a garden-like setting located a few feet from the now vacated Main Entrance (center left) to the Medical Center. An image of the dedicatory plaque is located at the lower right.The “Come Unto Me” statues as they are currently displayed a few steps north of the recently vacated main entrance to the Loma Linda University Medical Center.The group of four who were discussing upcoming relocation and orientation of the “Come Unto Me” statues. Sculptor Victor Issa is second from the right. Standing with Mr. Issa are Adam (left) Gerald (second from the left) and Kelly at the right. All three have significant project responsibilities. The statues will be relocated on or near the spot (just east of the Galleria and Main Entrance) where the group is standing.A broader view of the location where the “Come Unto Me” statue is slated to be relocated in the Fall of 2020.
Reflections
As the sun sank in the west, the reflection of the towers were projected off of the Carrol S. Small Alumni Center Building windows and on to the artist rendering of the project anchored to the security fence on the other side of Anderson Street. The day begins with the towers reflecting the blue skies and clouds above.
A Tuesday Morning Walkabout on the Construction Site
The East Side Retaining Wall
As the rebar rises from the footing, one gets an idea of the height the retaining wall will be above the east parking lot.A view of the rebar from the south side of the footing. At the north side of the footing the retaining wall will be approximately six-feet high and on the south it will be about ten-feet tall.The early Wednesday morning concrete on May 20, 2020 was completed by 8:46 AM. The image in the left corner shows the concrete snorkel as it is being retracted by the operator. A view from the north side: Forming for the concrete wall begins. The wall will step up with an approximate height on the north side of six feet and end on the south side somewhere around ten feet.From the south side, the step up is clearly visible.
Work Begins on the Site Where the Stairs Will be Built Southwest of the East Parking Lot
Southwest of the area where the retaining wall is being constructed on the east side parking lot, Stan is surveying the bank where the stairs will be built connecting the upper south parking lot to the lower east side parking lot and to the east building entrance.Excavation and compaction on the site where the stairs will be built to connect the upper south parking lot to the lower east parking lot and east entrance to the building.Excavation and compaction at the site where the stairs connecting the lower east parking lot to the upper south parking lot will be located. Once the compaction has been completed forming the stairs will begin. Just a few yards east of where work has commenced on the stairs leading up to the south parking lot from the east parking lot, electrical conduits have been exposed to provide depth location.The scope of the east side project. To enter the east parking lot there will be a road coming off of Anderson Street that will cross the upper road. This road is just outside the bottom of the image.The compacted pad for the stairs looking down from the southeast side of the Emergency Department’s adult drop-off/parking lot.The compacted pad for the stairs looking up from what will be the east parking lot. The top of the stairs lead to the Emergency Department’s adult drop-off/parking lot.
The Dismantling of the Northeast Mechanical Lift
The last mechanical lift on the site, which is located on the northeast corner of the Adult Hospital tower is in the process of be dismantled. This lift was used to move heavy equipment and supplies to Level “A” or Level “B” from grade. I was told that a fox was running around in the basement. Perhaps it is an inspector of record disguised as a fox? The gap of the northeast vault (between the building and the foundation) is the moat’s widest section. Master carpenter, Chuck, makes his way over to the mechanical lift’s platform that had been lifted from the northeast corner of the moat.After all of the mechanical lift parts and equipment were removed, the foundation floor where it was anchored was cleaned.
The Entrance Canopy Concrete Grade Beam
The concrete grade beam is detailed nicely in this vantage point. When completed the current Medical Center will tower over the Canopy and Galleria. People walking across the pedestrian bridge will have a grand view of the Canopy and the landscaped Entrance to the Hospital campus.A view of the grade beam from the west with the Galleria on the right.Dirt covering the grade beams north of the Galleria. The embeds are covered with wooden boxes to protect the column anchor bolts.
The Galleria
Wrapping HVAC ducting in the Chapel.Wrapping HVAC ducting in the Galleria’s Main Entrance and Lobby.
The West Corridor
A view of the connecting bridge from the south: In this view of the west corridor there are four projects going on simultaneously: (1) Center left (the black area under the window), the former entrance to the Children’s Hospital is being prepared to have the exterior facade and windows installed. (2) Rough grading is being done through the corridor. (3) Work continues on the loading dock including the backfilling around the concrete foundation. (4) Beyond the pedestrian bridge, electricians are excavating a trench for vaults and conduits where telecommunication lines will flow between the two hospitals. The former entrance to the Children’s Hospital, which is being prepared for an exterior facade and windows.Before the facade and windows are installed the concrete is wrapped with a vapor barrier. The loading dock’s concrete pad. The above collage shows the trench and conduits between the two structures. The conduits will be used for telecommunications and other electronic cables.Once the conduits were in place a concrete slurry was poured in the trench. Once the slurry dries, the trench will be backfilled with dirt. A view of the connecting bridge from the north: Rough grade is now done. Work continues on the loading dock and the facade covering former main entrance to the Children’s Hospital.
The Barton Road Median Left Turn Lane
Meantime, the base of the Barton Road left turn lane addition is being graded and compacted. Putting down gravel in preparation for the asphalt.With the decorative rocks and the asphalt, the eastbound left turn lane is complete.A view of the eastbound left turn lane from the third floor of Parking Structure P4.
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 🔨
will there be a traffic light and this new er ramp?
Dennis E. Park, MA
I am not aware of any stop light being installed at that location. There may be an electronic switch that EMTs can trigger the lights at Anderson and Barton when at that turn off. That is only conjecture on my part at this time. Good question.
will there be a traffic light and this new er ramp?
I am not aware of any stop light being installed at that location. There may be an electronic switch that EMTs can trigger the lights at Anderson and Barton when at that turn off. That is only conjecture on my part at this time. Good question.