79 replies to this topic

[rockethead26]

The title is a throwback to the thread I posted in the equipment forum about 3 years ago to seek help with the selection of equipment for the new Giovale Open Deck Observatory at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. That facility opened in October 2019.

 

The pandemic has delayed the starting of our next project for about a year, but I am happy to announce that the groundbreaking ceremony occurred on June 26th and ground prep started two weeks ago.

 

This project is for the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, a new astronomy and science center being built on the Mars Hill campus of Lowell Observatory. The world class 40,000-square-foot, $37.5-million center will be opening in 2024.

 

Here are some pics for you:

 

The architect's rendering:

 

 

 

The ground breaking with the movers and shakers that got this project off the ground:

 

 

 

Banners:

 

 

 

The construction site:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by rockethead26, 27 July 2021 - 05:49 PM.

[Nom De Qwerty]

VERY cool. I will be following the progress with great interest. 

 

Where will this be located on the campus? Is it meant to replace the current visitor center once completed?

 

What are the features on the roof? It looks like part of it might be a patio of some sort with some tables - a meeting area or cafe? And at first I thought the round area was some sort of amphitheater but when I look closer it doesn't look like it.

[rockethead26]

VERY cool. I will be following the progress with great interest. 

 

Where will this be located on the campus? Is it meant to replace the current visitor center once completed?

 

What are the features on the roof? It looks like part of it might be a patio of some sort with some tables - a meeting area or cafe? And at first I thought the round area was some sort of amphitheater but when I look closer it doesn't look like it.

Mornin', Nom,

 

The new ADC will be just south and behind the Putnam Collection Center. The old Steel Visitor Center, with the original donor's permission, will be re-purposed to a classroom-meeting center.

 

There is an outdoor gathering area on the east side of the 3rd floor that we can use for meetings, fund raising events, wedding receptions, etc. You get a better view of it in one of the images attached below. The indoor/outdoor cafe is just to the right of the main visitor entrance and I have included two renderings below.

 

The amphitheater is called the Dark Sky Planetarium and will be used as a planetarium would, but with the real 95% unobstructed sky overhead. There is a stage for the presenter and two 8" mesh projection screens will be mounted on the walls on either side of the stage. The mesh will allow them to almost disappear when not being used for supplementary material during presentations. The DSP can be seen better in the rendering with the outdoor gathering area. The DSP seating will be 50' above ground level.

 

 

 

Edited by rockethead26, 28 July 2021 - 09:21 AM.

[Dobs O Fun]

Flagstaff, AZ has always been a balance to the state. One would think of only deserts in AZ but the elevation in Flagstaff makes you think you're almost in the Sierras.

Beautiful state too.

Looking forward to its completion. Look nice.

[Nom De Qwerty]

A planetarium, but with real planets.  Very cool.

 

PLEASE, PLEASE tell me that will be the actual name of the cafe.  My inner nerd is yelling and jumping for joy at the prospect of that ("I'd like a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, please."). 

[rockethead26]

A planetarium, but with real planets.  Very cool.

 

PLEASE, PLEASE tell me that will be the actual name of the cafe.  My inner nerd is yelling and jumping for joy at the prospect of that ("I'd like a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, please."). 

Only if the vendor that leases the cafe wishes to do so, although there would probably be copyright issues, so I'm not holding my breath. Would be cool, huh?

[photomagica]

This is a hugely important project. While it is called the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, (Thank you Kemper and Ethel!) it is truly a science center for all of Northern Arizona as well as visitors to the region. It will have a profound impact on young people, families and education. I can't tell you how much I admire the courage and foresight of Lowell Observatory in undertaking this project. It is a phenomenal commitment to science education and learning.

Bill

[Tom K]

When I retire in a few years and hit the road in my RV this will be up near the top of first places to visit.   Impressive to say the least.

[rockethead26]

First blasting happened this morning at 11:00.  Ten charges all in a line went off in about 1 second. It sounded like a muffled machine gun. The circled area about 100 feet long and about 40 feet wide raised up about 3 feet and then dropped. Cool! Two blasts will happen each week, each blast followed by excavation and rock debris removal. Most of the heavy work should be done in 2-3 weeks.

 

 

[Nom De Qwerty]

It started with a bang. That seems appropriate. 

[rockethead26]

I just uploaded a very short video to You Tube of the second excavation blast that took place this past Monday. Please excuse the wind noise before the blast. It is cool to watch!

 

Blasting and clearing will continue for a few weeks and the excavation depth will increase as the blasting moves north. A large earth mover shows up today to start clearing the rubble.

 

Here is the link

[rockethead26]

A construction site pic from 10:50 this morning, 09/23/21. Dirt and rock are being moved on the left side of the image and today's excavation blast zone with all of the white charge burial plots can be seen to its right next to the white truck. Charges are set to go off at noon. The orange drill rig by the white truck is still laying charges.

 

The excavation blasting has proceeded from the background to the foreground over the last few weeks, with still more to go towards the viewer.

 

Jim

 

[MCinAZ]

I need to start setting an alarm on my phone for 11:50 am on days when blasts are scheduled. Twice now I've been sitting at my desk at the east (left) end of the building under that camera when they set off the charges, and both times I've about gone through the ceiling when the earth shattering kaboom rumbled through the floor and rattled the entire structure. It's a lot easier on my nerves when I'm standing outside the fence and can hear the horns and "Fire in the hole!" call. More fun to watch, too.

[rockethead26]

I need to start setting an alarm on my phone for 11:50 am on days when blasts are scheduled. Twice now I've been sitting at my desk at the east (left) end of the building under that camera when they set off the charges, and both times I've about gone through the ceiling when the earth shattering kaboom rumbled through the floor and rattled the entire structure. It's a lot easier on my nerves when I'm standing outside the fence and can hear the horns and "Fire in the hole!" call. More fun to watch, too.

Mike, maybe we should put a camera on you. It might be more entertaining!

 

Cheers!

[rockethead26]

Here's a ground level shot from 9/29. Earth moving continuing. In the background, you can see the piles of removed earth. Two more weeks of explosives and four of earth moving then the pad should be prepared for start of construction by Halloween.

 

[rockethead26]

We're building our own mountain with all the excavation debris.

 

[Nom De Qwerty]

We're building our own mountain with all the excavation debris.

 

Hmmm... and what can be built on top of a mountain?  I think I know the next project!

[rockethead26]

Hmmm... and what can be built on top of a mountain?  I think I know the next project!

Nah... Good try though!  It will all be used for base fill to prepare the final slab site, landscaping around the new campus and the huge parking lot.

 

Here's a pic (bad one, sorry) of a rock crusher in action, producing the right mix/consistency that we need.

 

[rockethead26]

The building foot print is taking shape in preparation for the foundation. You can easily see the circular shape of the structure to be.

 

Please excuse my big fat finger in the photo.

 

[Marcelofig]

A planetarium, but with real planets.  Very cool.

 

PLEASE, PLEASE tell me that will be the actual name of the cafe.  My inner nerd is yelling and jumping for joy at the prospect of that ("I'd like a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, please."). 

 

I was thinking exactly the same thing, keep the name  .

[rockethead26]

The pad is just about complete. You can see in the background, the new large parking area. The mountain of dirt is almost gone. Most of it went to the parking area.

 

Next step, pouring the footers and laying in the rebar.

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

BTW, Lowell's public program went back to general admission this past Monday. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within the last 72 hours required for admission. It's really nice to see folks wandering around campus for the first time in 20 months without being on a limited guided tour. Just like the old days!!!

 

[Nom De Qwerty]

Thanks for the update and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

STILL looking forward to visiting and checking out the GODO on a night that isn't overcast (third time is the charm?).

 

Given the current political climate, have you had many issues with the newest requirements?

[rockethead26]

Thanks for the update and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

STILL looking forward to visiting and checking out the GODO on a night that isn't overcast (third time is the charm?).

 

Given the current political climate, have you had many issues with the newest requirements?

No issues that I've heard about. Hopefully it stays that way.

 

Hope you can make it back soon and yess, the third time is a charm.

 

Happy holidays!

Jim

[rockethead26]

Actual Construction Has Begun!

 

Huge footers are being excavated and concrete poured despite a little snow. Sorry, I could only get about 2/3 of the site in one pic.

 

 

 

 

[rockethead26]

Holidays and 6-8" of snow leave the construction site in peaceful mode.

 

Happy New Year!