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With the arrival of spring at UCSF, construction efforts at Parnassus Heights are in full swing. This quarterly update by UCSF Real Estate provides essential information about important capital projects and their impacts on campus.
Please note that dates and project details are subject to change as our transformation journey progresses. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital
New Hospital at Parnassus Heights (NHPH) construction site as of April 2024.
To serve the city with world-class care for the next century, UCSF is constructing the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital, a 15-story hospital on the Parnassus Heights campus on the former Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital (LPPH) site. Construction will continue through 2029, with the new hospital opening in 2030.
Between February 2022 and April 2027, 32 major projects will be required for the new hospital project. We are communicating impacts of this work broadly to UCSF faculty, staff, learners, patients and visitors, and the community.
NHPH Groundbreaking for UCSF Community on April 25, 2024
On Thursday, April 25, the UCSF community will mark the groundbreaking of the new hospital at UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights. The UCSF community is invited to celebrate as the NHPH team officially begins construction on the new hospital. At the event, the UCSF community can discover how the new hospital will transform the care experience for our patients and support our faculty members, staff, and learners across the campus.
Thursday, April 25, 2024, Open House from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Millberry Union Conference Center, 500 Parnassus Ave. San Francisco
O2 Tanks Delivery and Installation for New Tank Yard
The NHPH project reached a milestone in the creation of a new oxygen tank yard, which will support the Parnassus Heights campus. On Saturday, April 20, three oxygen were delivered to and installed at the site, south of the NHPH site and east of the existing hospital. The tanks are expected to go-live in summer 2024.
Every weekend through 2024, Medical Center Way will be closed. Emergency and other key service vehicles will have access on Medical Center Way.
Early Morning Steel Pile Beam Deliveries and Shoring Continues
Several 90-foot-long steel beams are being delivered between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. to the NHPH site. The early morning beam deliveries are scheduled to occur through May 2024. The early morning delivery time is set by SFMTA as a condition of the vehicle permit, which requires trucks wider than 12 feet, or longer than 90 feet, to drive between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Noise and other impacts are expected to be minimal from the beam deliveries.
Deep soil mixing is ongoing as part of site improvements, and shoring will continue onsite into June 2024. For this work, a drill rig and crane are being used. You can expect to hear intermittent air horns as part of safety measures while cranes are in use.
Dates and details are subject to change.
Other Work Underway for the New Hospital Project
Sewer Tie in and MCW Widening: Plans are underway to start construction for a project on Parnassus Avenue near the NHPH for a Parnassus sewer tie in and widening of Medical Center Way. A traffic dry run is expected to occur on Parnassus Avenue by early May 2024.
Driveway Updates at Moffitt Circle: Through late April 2024, a lane will be closed in the existing hospital entrance driveway, Moffitt Circle, 505 Parnassus Ave., to install planters. The updates are part of a project to build a new emergency oxygen supply connection to support the new and current hospitals.
You can expect to hear noise from the work
UCSF ambassadors are managing traffic flow and assisting patients and visitors.
Emergency Department (ED) Vestibule Renovation and Awning Demolition: Through June 2024, construction is underway to renovate the ED vestibule and demolish the ED awning. The first phase will be an ED entry pathway renovation, which is expected to be completed in early May 2024, and the second phase is demolishing the awning, which is expected to be occur for approximately two weeks at the end of June 2024. Signs are posted for patients and visitors around the construction site.
Noise impacts are expected to minimal around the areas of construction.
Other Work Underway for NHPH
Sewer Tie-in and MCW Widening: Plans are underway to start construction for a project on Parnassus Avenue near the NHPH for a Parnassus sewer tie-in and widening of Medical Center Way. A traffic dry run is expected to occur on Parnassus Avenue from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 1-2, 2024.
Driveway Updates at Moffitt Circle: Through late April 2024, a lane will be closed in the existing hospital entrance driveway, Moffitt Circle, 505 Parnassus Ave., to install planters. The updates are part of a project to build a new emergency oxygen supply connection to support the new and current hospitals.
You can expect to hear noise from the work.
UCSF ambassadors are managing traffic flow and assisting patients and visitors.
Emergency Department (ED) Vestibule Renovation and Awning Demolition: Through June 2024, construction is underway to renovate the ED vestibule and demolish the ED awning. The first phase will be an ED entry pathway renovation, which is expected to be completed in early May 2024, and the second phase is demolishing the awning, which is expected to be occur for approximately two weeks at the end of June 2024.
Signs are posted for patients and visitors around the construction site.
Noise impacts are expected to minimal around the areas of construction.
What You Can Expect (NHPH)
Increased traffic along Parnassus Avenue due to construction.
Through May 2024, there will be an increase in trucks off hauling soil from Clarendon Avenue to Medical Center Way, then east on Parnassus Avenue to Stanyan Street.
You can expect some noise, dust and vibration impacts near the site.
The project team is spraying water on the rubble to tamp down the dust.
Next to the site, UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights is increasing the monitoring of air intake and filter changing to help mitigate any potential impacts.
UCSF Health is alerting patients with appointments at Parnassus Heights about the construction via MyChart, text, newsletter, and its website.
Hospital entrance (Moffitt Circle) is limited to patient pickup and drop-off only.
Hospital deliveries will be directed to park in the white zone west of Moffitt Circle.
Private vehicle parking in the ED will be limited to patient drop-off and pickup only.
Pedestrians will be routed through a protected pathway around construction.
Parnassus Research and Academic Building
Parnassus Research and Academic Building (PRAB) construction site as of April 2024.
Construction will continue through 2027 on the former UC Hall site to build a new state-of-the-art Parnassus Research and Academic Building that will provide a new home for the School of Nursing, an expanded education space, and space for multiple health and science disciplines.
The new building will encourage collaboration and support UCSF staying at the cutting edge of discovery, learning and care.
The building also will serve as temporary spaces for research and academic groups as the campus undergoes several major improvements for the Comprehensive Parnassus Heights Plan through 2030.
Shoring Operations Moving Along Parnassus Avenue in June 2024
You will soon notice the elevation of soil lowering on the PRAB site as shoring operations move from along Koret Way to Parnassus Avenue. For shoring, workers are drilling to install piles in the ground for the retaining wall. The piles are vertical steel beams encased in concrete. As the retaining wall is finished, excess dirt will be removed to create space for the building.
There will be some noise from the excavator, soil drill rig and concrete trucks.
You can expect to see large trucks and equipment on the site.
Reminder: Koret Way Open to Pedestrians Through 2024
Koret Way is open to pedestrians and will remain open through 2024. Construction flaggers will be present to control pedestrian traffic during deliveries as a safety measure. Any long-term Koret Way closures will be communicated widely to the Parnassus Heights campus.
Koret Way remains closed to vehicle traffic and parking. ADA parking and some state vehicle parking is still available in the Koret Way Surface Lot near the School of Nursing building.
Pedestrians can access Koret Way; construction flaggers will be present to control pedestrian traffic during deliveries as a safety measure.
ADA parking will still be available.
Deliveries will be able to access Koret Way.
Traffic flaggers will direct pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
No drop-offs, pick-ups or drive through traffic will be allowed on Koret Way.
Emergency access is open from the School of Nursing building to Koret Vision Center.
Demolition for New Utilities Along Koret Way Starting in June 2024
Plans are underway to install new utilities along the PRAB Promenade and Koret Way. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing utilities serving PRAB will begin installation this summer and the work in Koret Way is expected to be complete by the fall. Some existing utilities will also be demolished.
Expect noise near the construction area during the demolishing of utility lines. This work may impact building occupants near the PRAB site.
Possibly slight alignment changes to the pedestrian path of travel on upper Koret Way.
Construction Under Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) Nearly Complete
In late April 2024, construction is expected to be complete on the lower level on the west side of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB). The project is to build a temporary wall to protect CSB during PRAB construction, where CSB and UC Hall had previously been connected. Currently, waterproofing the wall is underway, with minimal impacts to building occupants. Tiebacks, or horizontal rods, will extend below CSB. These tiebacks will help stabilize the retaining wall for PRAB.
CSB occupants can expect to hear some noise and vibrations during this work.
A boom lift will be on the exterior northwest corner of CSB.
Pedestrians on Parnassus Avenue will be rerouted around the construction activities.
What You Can Expect (PRAB)
Koret Way is open to pedestrians; construction flaggers will be present to control pedestrian traffic during deliveries as a safety measure.
Pedestrian pick-ups and drop-offs for the UCSF Dental Center should go to the south entrance in the Kirkham Lot (not Parnassus Avenue).
Pedestrians are being rerouted to the northside of Parnassus Avenue between Third and Fourth avenues during the PRAB construction.
Expect trucks arriving to and from the site on Parnassus Avenue and Koret Way.
Expect noises from trucks and equipment.
Flaggers will be directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the site.
Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements
Plans are in the works to create a welcoming pedestrian connection to the “heart of campus” at Parnassus Heights. With landscaping and hardscaping, the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) program will create the connection between the new PRAB Promenade and Saunders Court, across the footprint of the existing School of Nursing (SON) building.
Phased SON Building Closure Starting April 29, 2024
To prepare for the SON Building demolition in late 2024, a phased closure of the building will start when most of the SON employees relocate to the Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision, 490 Illinois St., at Mission Bay the week of April 29 through May 3, 2024.
The phased closure plan includes:
May 6: Closure of most offices and conference rooms in the SON Building (classrooms and student lounges will remain in use through the end of spring quarter).
June 17: Closure of all classrooms in the SON Building. Ladle & Leaf and some research and Facilities Services occupants will remain in the building.
Fall 2024: Full closure of the SON building. Ladle & Leaf will relocate to Millberry Union, floor 1, and other occupants will be relocated elsewhere at Parnassus Heights.
From April through late 2024, SON Building occupants will relocate according to a phased plan.
During the week of April 29 through May 3, 2024, you can expect:
Movers and UCSF IT staff in the SON Building.
For moving activities, the SON Building elevators will be unavailable. A detour will be established to guide occupants to the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) passenger elevators as an alternative route.
Full-service move management resources will be provided.
Site survey and investigation work in and around the SON Building throughout the summer.
Remaining office furniture in the SON building will be considered for UCSF Equipment Reuse Program, more details will be shared at a later date.
Upcoming Preliminary Project Schedule
April 2024: Start decant of the School of Nursing building
Fall 2024: Construction starts
Spring 2027: Construction ends
All dates and details are subject to change.
Health Sciences Instruction and Research (HSIR) Towers Improvements Program
Scaffolding is on the HSE and HSW towers for the HSIR Improvements Program.
Construction is underway to improve the Health Sciences Instruction and Research (HSIR) East and West towers. The HSIR complex is made up of two, 16-floor towers with an elevator and corridor that connects the towers. About 90% of the building includes labs and research space.
The HSIR Improvements Program consists of three projects:
HSIR Exterior Ledge Repairs: Full repair and recoating of the exterior concrete ledges for Health Sciences West (HSW) and Health Sciences East (HSE). The exterior repairs will improve the building’s safety.
HSIR Life Safety Improvements: Provide a fully sprinklered building, install fire sprinklers in currently non-sprinklered areas, correct fire sprinkler pipe pressure deficiencies, add sprinkler heads to chemical fume hoods, and extend existing standpipes on the rooftops for fire department access.
HSIR Seismic Improvements: Improve the seismic performance rating of HSW and HSE by making whole-building structure improvements including installing seismic dampers, column splicing at level 5 of both towers, and upgrading the seismic joints and utility restraints. This project will make the building safer in the event of an earthquake and will better protect UCSF labs and experiments.
Construction Hours
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for interior and exterior work
10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Monday through Friday for interior fire sprinkler work
Shrink wrap phases for the HSIR Improvements Program.
In March 2024, workers removed shrink wrap from the exteriors of the HSE and HSW towers as part of phase 1. The shrink wrap, which is needed to safely complete exterior repairs, is being removed in three phases as the repairs are complete on sections of the building. Scaffolding will remain until the completion of the exterior project in 2025.
Phase 2 shrink wrap removal is on track for this summer. The last section of shrink wrap is scheduled to be removed in October 2024. View this diagram of the shrink wrap installation and removal phasing. Dates and details are subject to change.
You can expect to see the HSE and HSW towers covered in white shrink wrap.
Exterior Repairs and Recoating Underway
Workers are repairing concrete and recoating the exterior ledges on all floors of the HSW and HSE towers. This activity is underway from the top down on both towers. Email [email protected] if you would like more details about the exterior repairs and potential impacts for specific floors.
This activity is expected to cause noise and vibrations.
Concrete repair activity is scheduled for 6 – 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Expect the noisiest activity during this time; however, there may be noise impacts after this time.
Expect Impacts from Fire Barrier System Construction in HSIR Corridor
Areas in the HSIR corridors that are being impacted from fire barrier system construction.
As part of the seismic improvements project, fire barrier systems will be installed at the three seismic joints on every floor of the HSIR towers to ensure fire protection of utilities crossing joints between HSE, HSW, and the elevator bridge tower. Expect ongoing activity in the corridors and elevator lobbies of the towers.
Width of egress will be reduced.
Occupants will be able to use a temporary platform across the seismic joints in the elevator bridge tower.
Fire-rated doors will be propped open with workers in attendance monitoring activity.
Expect Some Odors from Coating Application on Exterior Ledges
Now through July 2024, workers will be applying a traffic coating to exterior ledges on all floors of the HSW and HSE towers. The coating will help protect the building’s exterior from future damage and deterioration.
Phase 2 of this work is wrapping up on the west and southwest of HSW and the north and northeast of HSE. The coating will eventually be applied to all exterior ledges of the towers.
After completing exterior repairs, workers will be applying a traffic coating to the exterior ledges on all floors of HSW and HSE.
During the installation of traffic coating on the exterior of the buildings, occupants may notice some odors inside the building, which may last 24-72 hours. According to EH&S monitoring, the traffic coating being used has low VOC contents (volatile organic compounds) and does not exceed regulatory exposure limits. However, odor from the coating is noticeable because it exceeds the odor detection threshold.
The project team and EH&S have mitigations in place to minimize and monitor any odors, including adding fans and air scrubbers on the impacted floors to help prevent air pollutants, surface contaminants, odors and dust from entering the building.
The shrink wrap at the building’s rooftop level remains open to allow odors to escape.
What You Can Expect (HSIR)
You can expect noise during construction hours.
Windows are sealed closed with window protection added for safety.
An enclosed area of Saunders Court is not accessible to the community.
Other Major Projects at Parnassus Heights
Fuel Tanks Project
A project is underway to build a new emergency fuel tank facility, which will serve several buildings on the Parnassus Heights campus, including the IRM facility, the PCUP facility, Moffit and Long Hospitals, and the New Hospital at Parnassus Heights (NHPH).
Construction will include:
Widening Medical Center Way
Relocating utilities
Rerouting domestic water and the fuel line
Shoring, demolition and excavation in late April 2024
Installing soil nail wall, slab and new oil tanks in mid-2024
Relocating fire hydrants
Construction Hours
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (if weekend work is required)
Noisy work hour restrictions will be followed.
Construction Impacts and Mitigations
Excavation is planned for May through June 2024 to construct the new tank facility near the back of the PCUP between Medical Center Way and the fire lane.
Through December 2024, lane access will be intermittently reduced to the fire lane behind the PCUP building, and along parts of Medical Center Way. Access on Medical Center Way will be maintained at all times.
During the project, fire lane access to HSIR, and the PSRB and IRM loading docks, behind the PCUP, will occasionally be impacted by construction. However, access for emergency vehicles will be maintained.
Some noise during construction hours near construction activity.
Brief generator noise where electrical utility is relocated.
There are currently projects in construction to add an additional fire water backup connection, and to update existing domestic water mains.
Currently, segments are being installed at these locations
Segment 7: Completed paving on 4/19. Conduit and lateral connects in Mount Sutro and upper Medical Center Way expected through mid May 2024.
Segment 1 and 2 and a portion of the fire main system: Construction east and west of Medical Center Way near the NHPH site is underway (construction expected April through early July 2024.
Segment 3: On weekends, potholing is underway in the Medical Sciences Building and existing hospital loading dock (expected through August 2024)
A retaining wall will be built along Parnassus Avenue and the east side of Medical Center Way. Construction is expected to begin in winter 2024 and complete in spring 2025. Plans are in review with permitting agency.
Construction Hours
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (noisy work starts at 8 a.m.)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends (noisy work 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
