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Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence Taking Form

Posted January 25, 2008

Construction on the University’s new addition, the Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence, is quickly making progress, even with bitter winter temperatures enveloping Minnesota.

The three-story structure is enclosed now, and the floor is being poured this week for the bottom level, which will house the research department.

Jim McDonald, MBA, vice president of administrative services, said the electricity, sewer and water has also been installed on the bottom level.

The offices on the second floor are currently being laid out, McDonald said. In addition to office space, this level will provide an area for students, including couches, computers, a fireplace and huge windows looking out at the courtyard. The president’s office, student affairs, alumni and development offices will be located on the second floor.

Fire sprinkler installation is complete on the top two floors, said Kevin Wolpern, director of the physical plant at Northwestern.

The third floor, McDonald said, is where the Greenawalt library will be located.

“Each floor is about 14,000 square feet,” McDonald said. “Everything is on schedule – and the library is truly amazing.”

The University’s research division – the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies – is expected to move into its new facility this spring, with the remaining two floors opening in September 2008.

Wolpern said he expects substantial changes to be made in a few weeks as the building progresses.

For more photos of the building, including the first interior photos, click here.