Those who steal a glance at the construction at Bradford
Regional Medical Center today will see the project has entered into
its steel phase.

That’s the word from BRMC Senior Vice President of Operations
Glen Washington, who explained the project is progressing on
time.

“The project continues to go on very, very well,” Washington
said. “We are right on time, exactly on schedule and exactly on
budget.”

The $15 million project, which has been progressing since last
Fall, will include a five-story addition; a 65,000-square-foot
outpatient care center; a 17,600-square-foot expansion and
modernization of the emergency department; addition of a new
neurosciences center, establishment of a specially designed medical
oncology suite, expansion and redesign of surgical services area
and a larger space for Upbeat/cardiac rehab and cardiology
services.

Washington explained that they are about done with the
excavation and laying the foundation. Today, a huge crane will be
brought and assembled on-site. As a result, a segment of Pleasant
Street will be inaccessible for the day.

“It’s kind of like playing with Tinker Toys,” Washington said.
“It’s fun to see all that stuff.”

Now, passers-by will see the building take shape.

“It will really start to take on a different form,” Washington
said. “The skeleton of the whole building.”

“People will visually see what the building will actually look
like,” he said.

Washington credits the project staying in-line budget-wise to
the lump-sum contract price “set early on in the game” with BBL
Medical Facilities.

“It turned out to be an extremely fortuitous move,” Washington
said, pointing to the 20 percent increase in construction material
since officials started planning the expansion.

BBL, located out of Albany, N.Y., also has experience in
building in the winter months. BBL “has a solid track record.
They’ve done a very good job,” Washington said, adding the weather
has helped, too.

The bids awarded to date are as follows: roofing – Weatherguard
of Albany; structural steel – Industrial Welding and Fabricating of
Jamestown, N.Y; masonry -ðJ. William Pustelak of Waterford; and
elevators -ðThysson Krubb Elevators of Buffalo, N.Y.

Excavation work was done by Wayne Gravel Products of
Shinglehouse and the foundation and concrete was done by Kessel
Construction and Bisett Building Center, both of Bradford.

Washington said that some of the bids to be awarded in the near
future include electrical, heating and air and plumbing.

But outsiders aren’t the only ones involved in the project.

Washington said officials continue to work with user groups –
hospital employees who meet and have a say in what is happening
with the project, including equipment.

“What we have, what we need to buy,” Washington said, adding
there are about 11 user groups, including helping pick out
“interior finishes.”

Without giving too much away, Washington said the color scheme
is “very pretty, a nice combination … a very nice, attractive
interior finish that’s very reflective of the area and region.”

He also said they are using “in-house talent” and “take
advantage of local artists” for the interior design.

Washington noted the user groups are “extremely important for
us. These are people using the space. It’s taken a lot of work on
their part.”

The project is financed by a $6 million bond, $6 million in
philanthropy and $3 million in state grants.

Washington said the public phase of the campaign will begin in
the next few months. In the meantime, employees have been generous
in their support of the project.

“This is the most successful capital campaign with employees,”
Washington said.

The project has also been a success on BRMC’s Web site where
people can watch the workers.

“We are getting feedback from around the country. Not a day goes
by that someone doesn’t comment on the progress made.”