For over 70 years, the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center has been home to one of the most distinguished hospitals and medical research centers in the country.
Many of the structures that make up Harbor-UCLA were built as army barracks in 1943. They were not intended to be used as permanent offices, but merely as a part of the military hospital during World War II. However, many of these buildings, now infested with termites, are still being used as doctors' offices, research labs, and clinics.
"They are being used for purposes now that nobody anticipated," said Dan Rosenfeld, senior deputy of economic development for Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Officials are now creating a plan for the 72-acre campus that will be carried out over the next twenty years.
Though the plan is still in the very beginning stages of development, officials' main goals are to design a facility suited for this highly congested area that will reduce traffic. They also hope to replace all old buildings with larger, more modern ones. The planners also plan to hold meetings to acquire input about how to utilize the land to best serve the health needs of the largely low-income patient base.
The existing inpatient tower, which was built in the 1960's must be replaced by 2030 in order to meet state earthquake requirements. For the rest of the campus, staff are open to ideas.
"This is really a chance to step back and look at the notion of health care and what it means," Rosenfeld said. "We're very excited to expand this vision."
Image courtesy of www.emedharbor.edu.
Another aspect of this project deals with improving the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, which is a separate nonprofit that shares the same campus. It will eventually be consolidated to 10.2 acres instead of being spread out in old barracks, portable bungalows, and other buildings as it is currently.
LA BioMed has already drawn up plans for its new quarters. Two new four-story research buildings and a biological resource center are in store. A 22,700-square-foot Chronic Disease Clinical Research Center, which will be funded by federal stimulus money, is already under construction as well.
If you are a life science researcher in the Los Angeles area and you are interested in seeing new laboratory research products, attend Biotechnology Calendar, Inc.'s Biotechnology Vendor Showcase at UCLA on October 6, 2011. Life science lab equipment suppliers are invited to showcase their products and services in a professional, yet relaxed environment. For more exhibitor information and UCLA research and funding statistics, click the button below.
