While construction crews were as busy on DMU’s new campus as weather conditions permitted over the winter, things have really been hopping – or should we say, “rising” – in recent weeks.
Members of the new campus steering committee and the DMU Board of Trustees recently visited the 88-acre site in West Des Moines with representatives of contractors partnering on the project. They observed installation of some of the 1,500 aggregate piers that will serve as deep, solid bases for foundations of the buildings; so far, 900 of these piers have been completed. View photos and video of the aggregate pier installation.
Also under way is construction of concrete foundations and shafts, underground plumbing, drain pipe installation and completion of a total of 700 geothermal wells.
Excellent progress has been made on other space planning and design work, too. In May, subject matter experts met in small groups with the RDG design team and steering committee members to share floor plan designs for components including lab environments, learning studios, simulation and standardized patient assessment labs, the library and research.
What’s next? During the spring and summer, the foundations will be completed and the steel superstructures will start to be installed. The University remains on track for its move to the new campus in 2023, the year of DMU’s 125th anniversary.
Stay up to date on the new campus developments by visiting the new campus web pages and viewing the webcam images.
