December 09, 2020 — 12 Days Out

The featured image is of a schedule board that is in one of McCarthy’s (the contractor) conference rooms. As the project nears a close, these schedule boards become more important in completing the various “to-do” items on the punch lists. At this stage, every conference room, and the longest wall has a schedule board.

The Loma Linda University Campus Transformation Project has been a giant undertaking. Over the years that I have been photographing the project, I have heard the men marvel in various adjectives at its extensive dimensions. “This is one LARGE hospital; I just can’t get over its size,” one of the tradesmen remarked the other day as we craned our heads back to look up at the Adult Hospital tower. Indeed it is. The tallest tower on the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus rises to a height of 268 feet, making it the tallest hospital structure in the State of California. It is also the tallest building in San Bernardino County. For many of the tradesmen, this will be the largest project they have experienced or will encounter during the rest of their construction career. According to the Loma Linda University Health, Campus Transformation website, “the new Medical Center tower is more than a building; it’s a beacon of hope for brighter, better tomorrows in the community.” For more information regarding the Campus Transformation Project, visit: https://lluh.org/about-us/campus-transformation

With the new Adult Hospital tower exterior, and the expanded Children’s Hospital tower complete, the landscapers are busy planting trees, shrubs, and ground cover. On the north side, work moves forward on the main entrance driveway, the main entrance canopy, and Galleria. Soon, the construction trailers will be removed, and work will begin on the northeast parking lot.

Work crews continue working on various floors as they complete their punch lists (a construction term for a document that lists unfinished projects). An example of a punch list is what I found on the 16th floor today–colored ribbons hanging from the ceiling. Each ribbon color represents a trade. All of the ribbons have a punch list note inscribed.

This image is of the administrative hallway on the 16th-floor. To the right (open door) is the Administrative Board Room. The corridor to the left goes to the restrooms and a galley (small kitchen).

The Main Entrance Lobby

The information desk in the center of the Main Lobby.

The information desk with the adult elevators in the background.

To the right of the information desk (lower right) is the long corridor (center) to the Gift Shop and the Grand Hallway which are to the west of the building.

To the east of the information desk, is the long corridor to the Cafeteria and the Dining Room. The door at the end of the corridor (center) opens to the east parking lot.

The Helipad and Patient Lobby (Floor H)

There are two elevators that go above the 16th-floor. These elevators designated “H” go to the helipad patient receiving lobby. These elevators have the capability to bypass all floors and go directly to the Emergency Department or the Operating Room.

The service stairs (center) leading to the helipad.

The first landing: A chain-link fence is being installed around the service stairs.

The last flight of stairs before reaching the helipad.

On the east side of the helipad the patient ramp that leads into the patient lobby.

On the far side of the helipad lies the patient ramp that leads to the double door and into the patient lobby.

From the helipad the patient(s) are wheeled into the patient lobby where they will be whisked nonstop down one of the “H” elevators to a predetermined floor–either to the ER or the OR. The “H” elevators go higher than any of the hospital elevators.

On the 17th-floor in the elevator tower there is an elevator control room.

A View of the West Corridor From the 16th Floor

A View From the Administrative Board Room

A view of the former entrance to the Medical Center (center) from the west side of the Executive Boardroom.

A helicopter is parked on the north helipad. On a clear day from this vantage point one gets a beautiful view of the west valley and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond.

The Main Entrance Roundabout Returns

Dennis E. Park, MA

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 🔨

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