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July 31, 2006 --
The Board of Visitors’ buildings and grounds committee
approved the schematic design for the Clinical Cancer Center
at its meeting on July 27.
The Clinical Cancer Center, proposed for the Jefferson Park Avenue and
Lee Street intersection, will house the Medical Center’s cancer clinics
in one site; enhance the layout and amenities of the clinics; and allow
for new therapeutic equipment.
There will be demand for the facility. Pamela F. Cipriano, chief clinical
officer at the Medical Center, told the board that the number of new cancer
diagnoses will double, to 4,600, by 2013. The new facility will have 44
examination rooms, a special area for women and private patient rooms.
The center will consolidate several existing cancer clinics, she said.
University architect David J. Neuman outlined details of the 118,000-square-foot
center, which will cost about $59 million to build. In contrast to many
current cancer clinics, which are housed in the basement of the Medical
Center, he said the new center will have extensive windows, bringing in
natural light and allowing occupants to look out.
The design contains several sustainable elements, Neuman said, including
a feature that collects rain water in an interior tank and slowly releases
it, a roof garden that would support healing for the patients, and heat
recovery on the heating and air conditioning systems.
The building, which was designed by Zimmer-Gunsul-Frasca Partnership of
Washington, D.C., currently rises three stories, but Neuman said that a
fourth floor may be added to house future expansion. Medical Center officials
are working with a potential donor. The additional square footage would
not increase the footprint of the building, but would alter the budget.
R. Edward Howell, vice president and chief operating officer of the Medical
Center, said he should be able to inform the board in several weeks about
the possibility of an additional story. He described the center as a “state-wide
resource.”
“People travel here from far away, so having a sense of welcoming
is very
important,” Howell said.
“This will be the finest cancer center in the entire commonwealth,” said
board member Daniel R. Abramson, who described the design as “gorgeous.” “The
care and treatment here is already amazing.”
In other business, the committee approved the concept and budget for renovation
and expansion of the chancellor’s residence at the College at Wise.
The $1.28 million project will add 1,600 square feet to the chancellor’s
residence to accommodate fund-raising events, lectures and campus meetings.
The committee approved schematic designs for the College at Wise Arts Center.
The $11.4 million project renovates the college’s current 10,300-square-foot
drama building and constructs a 25,000-square-foot addition.
The committee members also met Donald E. Sundgren, the new chief facilities
officer for the University. Sundgren comes to the University after more
than 35 years working the private sector in construction and facilities
maintenance. Most recently he was president and northwest region manager
for Swinerton Builders in Seattle.
After the meeting, committee members toured the newly renovated Fayerweather
Hall, which now houses the Art History Department.
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