The SUNY Construction Fund has awarded LPCiminelli the bid for the second phase of construction for UBs new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The contract for phase 2 the largest by far of three construction phases is worth approximately $226 million. LPCiminelli was the lowest bidder among three.

At 650,000 square feet, the $375-million project at Main and High streets is the largest medical education building under construction in the nation. When the new building opens in 2017, it is expected to house 2,000 faculty, students and staff from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

The design includes a seven-story atrium, classrooms and laboratories. It will be constructed on top of a new Allen/Hospital Metro station, a feature that accentuates community connections and promotes sustainable transportation options. The building is on track to be certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold, demonstrating UBs commitment to environmental and energy stewardship.

Class size within the medical school will increase from 140 to 180 students. UB also is recruiting 100 new faculty members world-class physician scientists and medical specialists to teach within the school. The new faculty will bring much-needed clinical specialties to the region, as well as training programs in important, new medical fields.

Next steps in construction

Work on phase 2 is expected to begin in the spring. It involves construction of the buildings faade and roof; completion of all plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems; and completion of all interior finishes.

The next major visible signs of construction progress will include the erection of a tower crane about 280 feet in height in December, around the time the buildings structural steel will begin to go up.

Phase 2 work is expected to continue until the completion of the building in early 2017. Some of the furniture and equipment will be moved into the building in fall 2016 in phase 3 of the project.

Medical students will begin attending classes and labs in the new building during spring 2017. The expectation is that all UB medical students will be in the new building by August 2017.

Read the original:

LPCiminelli awarded phase 2 contract for construction of new medical school