Surgery pavilion being built

Next to the UW Medical Center (UWMC), on the corner of Northeast Pacific Street and Montlake Boulevard Northeast, construction crews have finished digging a massive hole and erecting the foundation of an addition to the medical center.

What is now a dusty, messy hole will soon become a spotless, state-of-the-art center dedicated to giving surgeons -- and their patients -- access to new technology and more space to work.

The surgery pavilion will be approximately 160,000 square feet, housing three floors of short-term surgery operation rooms, an ambulatory area and multiple specialty clinics, including an imaging area, a sports-injury area, food services and linen services.

The pavilion will also house three floors of underground parking and will connect with the main medical center on the second and third floors via an underground tunnel to move supplies.

The surgery pavilion is being built "because we felt there is a need for a state-of-the-art surgery facility," according to UWMC Associate Director Helen Shawcroft.

The new, more efficient video endoscopic surgery rooms will be hard-wired on a boom hanging from the ceiling, which removes the thick cords from the floor and makes it easier for surgeons and assistants to move around the patient.

"Now [the video endoscopic equipment] is on a rolling cart," said Shawcroft.

The vision to develop a state-of-the-art surgery facility as part of the UWMC started in 1998. Ground was first broken in April 2001.

"We are pleased to be on time and under budget," said Shawcroft. "The contracted budget for the surgery pavilion is $85 million, which is all from earned monies."

The surgery pavilion is scheduled to open fall 2003, and will have an open house for the public to view the facility.