The Week of March 23, 2020 — The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Continues, A Homebound Order, and More Rain: Life Goes On!
The featured image for this blog is of the Loma Linda University Health campus. The image was taken Saturday night from the west Loma Linda Hills. Normally, on an ordinary Saturday evening, there would be moderate traffic flowing in both directions on Barton Road. On Campus Street, automobiles would be waiting for the light to turn. On this particular pandemic evening, I took three images at 10 seconds each and didn’t see a single vehicle.
Some of the images on in this post were taken during the week of March 15. Due to the rain and the “Homebound Order,” I am trying to limit my field-trips to the site.
From the Top Down
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, I took an elevator to the 16th floor, where I began my afternoon rounds.
A Majestic View From the Helipad: A view of the west section of the Loma Linda University Health campus with the snowcapped San Gabriel Mountains and Mt. Baldy towering over the west valley. The Elevator Tower: Looking to the northeast from the helipad, which is approximately 16 and a half stories above grade. Straight ahead and to the right is the elevator tower, which is, at roof height, 18 stories above grade. To the left of the elevator tower is the roof (referred to as the 17th floor) of the Adult Hospital’s east tower.Mechanical equipment under the helipad.The Executive Board room, which is located on the 16th floor. The west bank of window (center left)overlook the helipad.A View From the Terrace Balcony: On the the 16th floor Terrace Balcony Jack Kay III, assistant job superintendent looks at the floor plan on his iPad.The Cogeneration Plant: From the 16th floor terrace, one can get a great view of the cogeneration (power) plant, which provides the power to the Loma Linda University Health campus. Early in the make ready process, a deep trench was dug from the cogen plant to the new building site. The project went directly through the School of Dentistry parking lot. To the center right a corner of the concrete pad for Emergency Generator Plant is visible.The other major construction job on campus is the Loma Linda University Church chapel and education wing, which is nearing completion. The church, which fronts the campus mall, is a spiritual anchor for the students and community.
Making Rounds On March 25, 2020
With the storm clouds forming in the sky and a threat of rain in the forecast, I took a break from home detention and made my way to the construction site. As there was no traffic, I almost made it to the site before I left home. . . . Brought back memories of 1970 when I could make it to Loma Linda from my garage to the parking lot in seven minutes flat. Did I mention that the route had two traffic lights. Today there are nine.
The Galleria — Update
The Galleria as viewed from the future Children’s play lobby. At the west end (center) of the Galleria, the lunette (arch above the entrance) of the existing main entrance to the Medical Center is visible. The straps hanging down will be used to secure the HVAC ducting in the ceiling.The forms are off of the curbs that will support the walls for the two small meditation rooms, which are located at the east end of the chapel. The west side of the Galleria: The narrower two-story section at the center right is the main main entrance to the hospital. On each end of the section and in the center there are corridors that leads into lobby. On the west end on the other side of the corridor is a larger Meditation room. Next to the Meditation room is an electrical room, then the center corridor. On the other side of the corridor is an IT room, and then a yet to be named room and then the east corridor.
The Emergency Power Plant — Update
The southwest corner of the project located at the corner of Taylor Street and Taylor Court.Once I got on the pad, I found in the southeast corner carpenters setting forms, ironworkers installing rebar and electricians running conduits and installing electrical boxes.One of the reinforced generator pads has been formed and is ready for concrete. Additional rebar will be laid before the concrete is poured.The striking Adult Hospital tower and the iconic Medical Center as viewed from the Emergency Generator concrete pad.The transformer pads located on the northeast corner.The electrical vault floor hatch (center). In the upper right a reinforced concrete pad will be poured for the station batteries.As I rounded the corner onto Taylor Court, I encountered a concrete pump truck as it approached Prospect Avenue. I knew, that I had missed the action.Upon entering the Emergency Generator site, I could see a concrete truck (center left) in the distance. The west stem wall had been poured.Smoothing out the west stem wall.After the concrete pads for the transformers were poured a mason uses a bull float to draw the excess water to the service.East entrance that leads to the electrical vault area.East stem wall.
The West Connecting Bridge and The Third Floor Receiving Structure
Work has begun on the third floor receiving structure that will connect the west connecting the bridge to a room, which is now being constructed on the third floor or roof adjacent to the Children’s Hospital elevator/logo tower.The North Side: A closer look, from grade, of the receiving structure construction site with the tarp and scaffolding.The South Side: A closer look, from grade, of the receiving structure construction site with the tarp and scaffolding.I huffed and puffed up three flights of stairs hoping to be able to get a photo of the receiving structure work area. Upon arriving I found a tarp covering the opening, which was wired to the scaffolding frame. Ugh! A view of the west yard from the south side of the west connecting bridge.A view of the north yard from the north side of the west connecting bridge.
The West Connecting Bridge — A Look at the Second Floor
A view of the second floor corridor facing west. At the end, behind the tarp, an opening has been cut into the concrete for access into the existing building. A view of the boarded up opening that will allow access into the existing building. I was unable to get the whole door opening in the shot as I had to pull back the tarp with my left hand.
The South Yard — Trash Chute
Lifting the trash chute frame to position it on the other side of the stairs.Chuck, a carpenter foreman, maneuvers the forklift while moving the trash chute frame over the concrete stairs.Touch Down: The trash chute frame is gently touches the ground after being safely lifted over the concrete stairs and safety railing.The recently constructed trash chute located on the southwest corner of the site. This trash chute replaces the one that was disassembled on the east side when the aerial lift was dismantled.
The South Yard — Storm Drains
Not long after the rough grade and asphalt goes in, curbs and gutters will will be poured.This storm drain parallel to Barton Road is covered because the contractor wants to keep the drain pipes free of mud.
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 🔨
 Pandemic Continues, A Homebound Order, and More Rain: Life Goes On!){kind=link}