TIMELINE

VOL. 2, #5, JULY 1, 1998

The Home Stretch

Only a million installations, certifications and approvals to go...

Wednesday, July 1, our contractors officially turned over MUSC Rutledge Tower to UMA control, and what may prove to be the most critical phase of the project begins. Throughout the month (even after the Grand Opening starts and during the move-in days), dozens of inspections will take place, and equipment ranging from X-ray machines to wall-mounted blood pressure cuffs will be installed.

The most common entry on our July calendar is “Radiology equipment installation,” a note that appears every day for a couple of weeks. With mammography equipment, a new spiral CT system, nuclear imaging and a couple of suites of ultrasound gear to install and test, the radiology technicians will be plenty busy. Here's a rundown on the schedule for some of the major items:

July 1 All utility billings transferred to UMA Mechanical, electrical, plumbing final inspections by engineers City final inspection for Certificate of Occupancy

July 6 Radiation shielding certification

July 7 Preliminary Test and Balance for mechanical systems

July 8 Final construction inspection—DHEC

July 13 Begin installing radiology equipment (continue through July 25) Install furnishings, artwork, time-clocks, etc.

July 22 Grand Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m.

July 23 Physicians' Drop-In from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

July 24 MUSC Open House from 1 to 5 p.m.

July 25 Patient and Public Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 27 Mock Licensure Process Pre-move begins for non-essential clinic items (about 20 percent of the total move)

July 28 Licensure for lab, pharmacies, pre-op, etc. (Medical Center department in Rutledge Tower)

July 29 Move-in for clinics and Medical Center departments begins

Aug. 3 Move-in complete, clinics and Medical Center departments operational

Aug. 4 Licensure for DDC, ORs, PT/OT Move-in for DDC, ORs, PT/OT begins

The Parking Plan

Since all planning for Rutledge Tower started with the goal of improving convenience and access for patients, it shouldn't come as a surprise that our parking policy—as developed by the Office of Parking management, recommended by the university parking committee and approved by MUSC central administration—is following the same route. Patients come first, and space not needed by patients/visitors will be allotted to Rutledge Tower building employees.

Who gets what? Parking assignments available after patient needs have been met will be offered to eligible employees; i.e., those who will be working in Rutledge Tower. However, there are a handful of exceptions:

  • Employees retain their space assignments in the Rutledge Tower garage if they were among those who were in the G Lot lottery and who agreed to vacate B Lot to accommodate parking for the Storm Eye Institute and Children's Hospital.
  • A few special assignments were inherited with the facility and will be honored.
  • Some assignments are based on conditions of handicap and temporary disability.

There are about 485 eligible employee parkers, slightly less than half of whom will receive a parking assignment initially. Since all Rutledge Tower employees can't be accommodated, assignments will be made on the basis of seniority (with the order determined by MUSC/UMA hire dates).

After the formation of the initial waiting list, the established waiting list policy for all MUSC parking locations will apply to new requests. In other words, new Rutledge Tower building employees must notify the parking office of their desire to be placed on the Rutledge Tower waiting list. Names will be entered on a first-come, first-served basis.

What about people who had a parking assignment at Rutledge Tower garage on a temporary basis? Everyone who accepted Rutledge Tower assignments on a temporary basis signed an agreement acknowledging their understanding of the temporary nature of their assignment. Rutledge Tower employees who are eligible for a permanent assignment also signed an agreement detailing the fact that patients come first and that seniority would determine assignment and waiting list priorities.

What's the relocation timetable? The move of temporary assignment holders is essentially complete. By July 1, all eligible employees will be notified of their status—whether they have a permanent assignment or if they are on the waiting list. Employees eligible to park at Rutledge Tower but for whom no space is initially available will have until July 15 to relocate.

What about eligible employees who can't be accommodated initially at Rutledge Tower? Eligible employees who can't be accommodated initially at Rutledge Tower but who have been parking there temporarily will be reassigned to their former parking locations in the MUSC system. If they didn't have a space, they enter the system as a new applicant. Eligible employees will be called from the waiting list for permanent assignment to Rutledge Tower as space occurs. The waiting list will be compiled and ready for inquiries by Aug. 1.

Other than from the waiting list as cancellations occur, will there be any additional employee parking assignments made at Rutledge Tower garage; and if so, when? Time and patient parking needs will tell. Because of their convenience to the bridge, the bridge level (level 2), level 3, and the roof level are being set aside for patient use. Ground level and level 1 are for employees. If it is assured that all patient parking needs are being met and there is still unused space on the roof level, additional assignments will be made to eligible employees on the waiting list.

If I receive a parking assignment and later relocate to another work site, what will happen to my parking? Since parking at Rutledge Tower is work site based, employees moving to another work site from Rutledge Tower will have to relinquish their Rutledge Tower garage parking assignment so that the space can be reassigned to the next employee on the waiting list. In such an eventuality, employees will be reassigned to their former location in the MUSC parking system. If they did not have a former MUSC parking location, they will go into the system as a new applicant.

Q: The connector between Rutledge Tower Annex and Children's Hospital looks complete...in fact it was open to traffic during a heavy rainstorm that flooded Ashley Avenue. Any plans to open it early for all traffic?

A: Even though the exterior looks complete, there's still a lot to do on the inside, and the connector is needed for construction traffic that doesn't mix safely with regular foot traffic. For the time being the connector will have to be closed for everyday use. However, construction is on schedule for completion this month, and the connector will be opened for use as soon as possible.

Q: Has the name ‘St. Francis Annex’ been changed officially yet? Should we use “Rutledge Tower Annex” on mail, etc?

A: Aug. 1 is the official change date for Rutledge Tower Annex

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