by Dean Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD
Dr. Greg Nixon, Associate Dean for Clinical Services; Jim Woods, Chief Administrative Officer; Mat Johnson, Building Manager; and I are logging many fascinating hours with local architects designing both construction projects. To quote Oprah Winfrey, “these things I know” (at least until they change in design!):
- There will be a retail presence in the building on the first floor that will enhance the neighborhood.
- You’ll be able to drive your car through the east and west wings of the building!
- There is a university parking garage just east on 11th Avenue that will have designated optometry patient parking spots.
- The first floor clinic will house an expanded Hoya Eyewear Gallery, front desk, waiting area, billing services, and medical records.
- Our part of the building will comprise three stories plus the basement, one of which will be the mezzanine above the first floor, creating 21-foot ceilings for the more public parts of the first floor.
- All on-campus clinics will be housed there: Primary Vision Care; Contact Lenses; Binocular Vision and Pediatrics; Vision Training; Vision Rehabilitation; and Advanced Ocular Care.
- Clinical and associated faculty offices of people who primarily teach in the clinics will be located at 11th and Neil.
- Our administrative services—the dean’s office, student services, development and alumni relations, and the business office—will move to the sixth floor of the Fry Tower.
Our next milestone will be construction approval at the August 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, and then we will be off to the races! The current timeline would let us move in during late summer 2020. Stay avidly tuned to this station for updates as they become available.