Look up! Construction crane to begin removing MacKimmie Tower's exterior panels March 19

If you’ve been to main campus lately, you’ve likely noticed the flurry of construction activities in the northwest corner of MacKimmie Tower. Throughout February and March, crews have been on site installing a giant 89-metre-tall construction crane for work on the project that will remain on site until the project’s completion in 2022. The construction of the MacKimmie Tower will take place between March and July 2019, with the redevelopment of the Professional Faculties Building and construction of a new link and block to follow and expected to be completed in summer 2022.

“Until recently, while it may have seemed quiet since construction activities began in September, there’s been lots going on behind the construction hoarding,” says Boris Dragicevic, associate vice-president, facilities development. “Over the last several months, interior work has been done to get MacKimmie Tower ready for major construction, including removing all non-foundational walls, furniture, and other structures; stripping it down to bare concrete in preparation for the next steps in the tower’s redevelopment.”

Starting March 19, the construction crane will be fully installed and will be in operation during weekdays to remove the exterior precast concrete panels from the tower: imagine a giant spiralizer starting at the top and essentially “peeling” the panels off down to the base. The crane has an impressive swing radius of 76 metres, able to reach out over the Taylor Family Digital Library, the existing MacKimmie Complex and over Swann Mall — but the campus community can rest assured that crane loads will remain within the construction area and will not swing out over accessible pedestrian walkways or buildings. When there are no operators in the crane, it will be allowed to weathervane — this means, depending on weather conditions, it will move in the direction of the wind. This is to be expected and is not a safety concern.

The construction team will also remove the roof and prepare for the installation of two additional floors on the tower. While the goal is to have as little impact on the campus community as possible throughout construction, the campus community can expect some disruption. For one, you may be able to hear some construction noise as the bolts that hold the panels to the wall are removed. Once the precast panels are removed, the columns will be prepared for the installation of an inner glass facade. As well, pedestrian detours will be set up around the site to ensure the safety of the campus community and construction activity.

“We are removing a lot of concrete and other materials from the tower,” says Dragicevic. “More than 95* per cent of the construction materials will be recycled, such as the concrete, rebar and other materials.”

Be aware and take care: respect worksite closures and detours

Nothing is more important than the safety of the campus community and visitors on our campus. Several measures are in place for the safety of our community during construction, including hoarding and fencing around the construction area, pedestrian detours and traffic control measures on the University Way loop, and the laneway from the bus loop to the McEwan Student Centre. You can expect to see more traffic on site in the coming months, so the campus community is reminded to be aware and take care around the construction site by respecting worksite closures and detours:

• See the signs: Be aware of your surroundings; worksite signage and barriers are there for your safety and the safety of workers on site.
• Heed the signs: Follow signage instructions and respect closures/detours.
• Stay safe: Safety is always the first priority at every worksite, big or small. Do your part to keep yourself and our campus community safe.

Want to learn more about the MacKimmie Complex and Professional Faculties Building Redevelopment Project?

Join us at an open house March 28 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to find out how the design is progressing for the project and get construction updates. The open house will be held in the Rosza Centre Great Room and is a drop-in event; pre-registration is not required.

The MacKimmie Complex and Professional Faculties Building Redevelopment project is an exciting multi-year, multi-phase project that will address major deferred maintenance and space issues on our campus. Once completed, the project will provide a re-energized central hub of improved and new classrooms, centralized undergraduate and graduate student services, renewed and new student study space, and much-needed academic space in the heart of main campus.

 *Note this number does not include abatement materials