Construction Update

JANUARY 5, 2010

Construction of the 6-storey 265,000 square foot Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) remains on-schedule and on-budget, with the construction completion on target for fall 2010.

The panelized pre-glazed curtainwall system by Flynn was erected quickly and completed ahead of schedule. The building is now substantially sealed against the elements and ready for winter. Interiors work is fully underway with the installation of the Camino 2-foot raised access
floor system complete on 3 full floors and underway on Level 6. This floor system is throughout the building with all major mechanical, electrical, voice, data, and audio-visual systems and cabling housed beneath the removable concrete floor tiles.

The on-campus Nickle Arts Museum (NAM) will be incorporated into the TFDL building. Work on the installation of the specialty NAM Gallery systems and the advanced audio/visual and data systems within the building are both currently getting underway. The TFDL and NAM will each be at the leading edge of advanced technologies and integrated learning environments for post-secondary libraries and art museums.

The +15 elevated pedestrian bridge structure that links the new TFDL building to the existing MacKimmie Library complex was erected in early fall. This structure provides a year-round indoor connection to the building and access to the extensive network of inter-connected buildings on campus.

Interiors are well underway throughout the TFDL building with drywall and painting at advanced stages on the upper floors. Millwork, lighting, and ceramic tile work are all getting underway. Interior glazing, stainless steel, acoustic panels, and flooring are all scheduled to begin early 2010.

Construction of the High-Density Library (HDL) - a separate 30,000-square-foot long-term archival storage facility at the U of C's Spy Hill campus - got underway in June 2009. Site services installation and concrete foundation work were completed over the summer. Structural
steel erection and metal deck installation is nearing completion with the installation of the insulated metal wall panel system presently underway and on schedule to be complete by February 2010.

The pouring of the "super-flat" slab-on-grade to accommodate the automated order picker is planned for February 2010. The HDL is scheduled for construction completion by May 2010.

The overall re-design of about 3.5 hectares of the central campus grounds surrounding the TFDL building is the vision for the new Taylor Family Quadrangle (QUAD). The QUAD is an outdoor space that aims to encourage student use and enliven campus life. Final U of C approval of
the landscaping concept was received at the end of November. The final concept includes over 100,000 sq.ft. of concrete pavers, 30,000 sq.ft. of concrete sidewalks, a wetland storm retention pond, and a native grass and wildflower garden. Detailed design is currently underway to allow site services and grading work to begin in early spring 2010.