Emory Begins Construction on New Research Center

The empty lot on Haygood Drive that formerly housed Emory’s Turman Residential Center will soon be occupied once again. 

Emory began construction on a new health sciences research building at the location in June and university officials expect the $90 million project to be completed by April 2013. 

More than half of the  200,000 square foot building will be dedicated to pediatric research through Emory’s partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  The other portion of the facility will be used for researching adult cancers, immunology and drug discovery. 

Dr. S. Wright Caughman, Emory’s Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and CEO of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, celebrated the groundbreaking as a breakthrough for both medical research and the university’s prestige. 

“This partnership will lead to continued medical advances that will benefit pediatric and adult patients in Georgia and throughout the world and will help Emory and Children's reach the top ranks of pediatric research institutions," said Caughman. 

A bridge over Haygood Drive will connect the new facility to Emory-Children’s Center, which houses research space and a pediatric outpatient center. 

Dr. Barbara J. Stoll, Chair of Emory School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, indicated that the bridge symbolized Emory’s and Children’s commitment to collaboration. 

"The bridge that links the new research building to the Emory-Children's Center is an architectural highlight and gateway to the Emory campus,” she said. “But more importantly, the bridge is a symbolic link between Emory and Children's and reflects our shared commitment to child health."

University officials insisted that appropriate precautions are being taken to prevent construction-related traffic and noise. 

Holly Korschun, Director of Research Communications for Emory, said that workers at the site are parking at the university’s Briarcliff Campus and being shuttled to Haygood Drive. 

Contractors are also required to use designated state roads to approach the site, said Korschun.  The two approved haul routes for this project are Haygood Drive to North Decatur Road to Clairmont Road, and Haygood Drive to Clifton Road to Briarcliff Road. 

Korschun added that construction “is continuing within the hours prescribed by Dekalb County for limiting noise during the workday” in order to prevent excessive noise at the site, which borders a heavily residential area.