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| PBS&J/EIP to prepare EIR for Stanford redevelopment The City of Palo Alto has recently selected consultant PBS&J/EIP to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the redevelopment of the Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC) and the expansion of its neighbor, the Stanford Shopping Center. Among the major issues to be addressed are traffic, air quality, and preservation of historic buildings and scenic views, as well as other criteria as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). PBS&J/EIP will team up with DMJM Harris to address traffic impacts from the project. The EIR will encompass both hospitals in the SUMC project—demolition and construction of the Stanford Hospital and Clinics (SHC) and an expansion of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH)—as well as demolition and redevelopment of the Stanford School of Medicine (SoM). In addition to its international reputation for world-class heath care, the SUMC also serves as a Level 1 Trauma Center to the surrounding counties. Hospital facilities that do not meet current strict life safety criteria (including seismic codes) must be retrofitted or replaced as mandated by California Senate Bill 1953 (SB 1953). The EIR will also address the proposed expansion of the Stanford Shopping Center by The Simon Group, which will add approximately 240,000 square feet of space—12 buildings—and a five-story, 120-room hotel with conference and meeting room facilities. Parking must also be provided for up to 1,234 vehicles. The shopping center expansion is seen as a potential source of sales tax revenue for the City's General Fund to use for services and infrastructure improvements. The renovation and expansion of SUMC will be carried out over approximately 20 years and add approximately 1.3 million square feet of floor area, including 200,000 square feet of medical office space at the Hoover Pavilion. The EIR process began in August 2007 and will include soliciting public input on the issues to be addressed in the EIR. The Draft EIR is estimated to be publicly available in the second quarter of 2008, with the Final EIR to conclude by the third quarter of 2008. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Construction News :: home page |