Shop Talk: Breaking Ground, Felling Trees, and More

Construction is under way on a biomedical-research building at the U. of Southern California. (Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects image)

Construction for research: The University of Southern California held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for an $80-million center for regenerative medicine and stem-cell research. The building, designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, is a joint project of the university’s medical school, the state-financed California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Cleared for sports: Over the weekend, crews preparing the site of a $124-million athletics-training center at the University of California at Berkeley felled some 40 oak and redwood trees in a grove that had been occupied by protesters for months. A 90-foot redwood remained standing Sunday because four tree-sitters were still up among its branches.

Construction in Connecticut: Campus improvements continue at Eastern Connecticut State University, where a 173,000-square-foot science building is set to open. The LEED-silver, $46-million building is in addition to a $65-million project to build three residence halls, plus a $23-million renovation and expansion of the student center.

Upgrades for community college: Students returning to the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College in Gettysburg, Pa., this week can take advantage of a new library and several new classrooms.