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Drexel Project Updates as of April 2024

Building Energy Performance: In keeping with both the University’s goal of reducing energy and citywide mandates on energy reduction, the University is continuing inspections and repairs on buildings scheduled for submission by Sept. 30, 2024. Current work pertains to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Queen Lane, 1427 Vine Street and 219 N. Broad Street.

Electrical Replacements: Construction on projects to replace Stratton Hall switchgear and Disque Hall motor control centers is expected to start in late spring 2024, with completion expected in July 2024.

Façade Renovations: Academy of Natural Sciences façade repairs will begin this spring. Inspection reports for MacAlister Hall, Bentley Hall and Gerri C. LeBow Hall are due this cycle, in June 2024; some work on Gerri C. LeBow and 1427 Vine Street is anticipated within the next year to maintain compliance.

Infrastructure Upgrades: The Andover AC256 building automation system (BAS) in several buildings requires a replacement to newer BAS system, which will allow for better control of the buildings, troubleshooting and energy optimization; currently in construction with completion expected in spring 2024. Main Building Rooms 304 and 305 are receiving a new HVAC system designed for the art collection; equipment has been pre-purchased and construction will occur spring 2024.

IT Data Centers and Closets Renovations: Construction on the fire suppression systems in the data centers of the Korman Center and URBN Center were completed in January. Over the next several years, data closets in 25 buildings are to be renovated to include emergency power, HVAC and/or security; design for the first and second groups of buildings have been completed. Construction on the first group of buildings began in February 2024.

Laboratory Renovations: In the Center for Automation Technology, Suite 460 and two environmental chambers are to be renovated, along with associated infrastructure; project documentation is complete and construction bidding occurred in February. Additionally, new gas cabinets and ancillary systems have been recently installed in LeBow Engineering Center Room 336, Bossone Research Enterprise Center Room 106B, and CAT Lab 264. Due to a worldwide shortage of helium, new helium production capacity needed for lab work was added into Disque Hall. Construction is complete.

Myers Hall Demolition and Development of Green Space: The University completed phase one of the demolition of Myers Residence Hall, involving the wing of the building closest to Powelton Avenue. Foundations for a small building to house switchgear equipment are in place. Once the new building and new electrical equipment are operational, the remainder of Myers Hall will be demolished and a new campus green space will be constructed. Completion is anticipated in fall 2024.

Vidas Athletic Complex: Construction will begin this spring for the installation of a new synthetic field and infrastructure to install the Buckley Bubble just north of Freil Fieldhouse at the Vidas Athletic Complex.

Partner Project Updates as of April 2024

3201 Cuthbert Street (Gattuso Development Partners): Structural steel erection is ongoing for Gattuso Development Partners’ 509,000 SF life sciences development at 3201 Cuthbert Street. Cambridge-based Smart Labs, one of the leading lab management firms in the United States, has signed a lease for 117,000 SF of the building. Drexel will have both a ground-floor presence and exclusive use of the 11th floor, occupying around 60,000 SF total to house core research and business outreach operations, as well as much-needed laboratory and office space for appropriate components in the College of Engineering and/or School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. Gattuso Development expects this project to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Chestnut Street Mid-Block Crosswalk: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is constructing a new mid-block crosswalk and traffic light on Chestnut Street between 33rd and 32nd streets. Drexel secured a grant to help fund this project, which is expected to be complete by the fall term, providing enhanced pedestrian safety for the Drexel community. During initial construction, the sidewalks along Chestnut Street remain open but narrowed on the northern side; vehicle traffic is reduced to two lanes and the bike lane is blocked. The University will construct a walkway connecting Korman Quad to the new crossing after the “Monument in Waiting” sculpture completes its residency next to Stratton Hall in early 2026.

Spark Therapeutics Development at F Lot: Spark Therapeutics has completed the steel frame for its new Gene Therapy Innovation Center being developed on campus through a 99-year ground lease of Drexel’s former F Lot. The anticipated 500,000-square-foot, multi-story building will serve as a Roche global center of excellence for gene therapy manufacturing and will create opportunities for collaboration with Drexel and Philadelphia’s life sciences community. Spark expects this project to be complete for occupancy with offices and labs in 2026, with full gene therapy manufacturing to come in 2027.

Schuylkill Yards (Brandywine Realty Trust): Brandywine has a letter of intent with an operator of a food hall in the Market Street retail area of Bulletin Building and is renovating the space for them now, with an anticipated occupancy date in early 2024. Construction continues on SEPTA’s Headhouse adjacent to Drexel Square, with completion anticipated in mid-2024.

Construction is ongoing, with the superstructure now completed, at 3151 Market Street for the development of a new stand-alone lab building that will accommodate approximately 450,000 square feet of lab and lab-support spaces. Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2024.