Medical center construction delayed, but will continue through the winter

Video shows September progress

While the prefabricated walls on the new Hy-Vee grocery store seemed to sprout almost overnight,  progress on the new construction at Greene County Medical Center – an entirely different construction method – is a much different story.

Medical center CEO Carl Behne told the board of trustees at its regular September meeting that the new construction, originally targeted for completion some time next spring, was about 60 days behind schedule due to weather delays.

GCMC Oct. 1Crews are working on Saturdays to “catch up,” and progress can be noted almost daily. But, there are days like Wednesday (Oct. 1, pictured), when the work is slow and muddy. Jefferson received 1.62 inches of rain Tuesday night according to volunteer weather observer John Beltz. The blue sections are not wading pools, but places where new concrete was covered.

Tamsen Kirby, project manager for Woodruff Construction, said there have been delays, but work is going as fast as it can but she’s reluctant to suggest a done-by date.  “Woodruff and our subcontractors are all working to complete the project in a safe and productive manner as quickly as possible,” Kirby said.  “Construction will continue through the winter.  With the continuing weather delays and everyone’s efforts to move the schedule forward as quickly as possible and to possibly gain a few of those lost days back, it is hard to place a final date.”

In the time lapse video from September, watch the steel framework going up, along with stud walls and purple exterior sheathing. It’s also interesting to watch the weather. The monthly videos are the handiwork of Emily Brewer, part of the community relations team at the medical center.

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