Demolition begins at MAISRC’s Research and Holding Lab
6/5/2015
After months of planning and preparing, demolition is beginning on MAISRC’s long-outdated laboratory facility. The outer shell of the facility on the St. Paul campus will remain intact, but inside, the updated lab will soon more accurately reflect MAISRC’s state-of-the-art research goals.
Over the next few months, the 10,200-square-foot facility will be completely gutted and overhauled. New and better fish holding tanks will be added and well water treated for use by aquatic organisms will be available at different temperatures to mimic real life systems. New lighting controls will more effectively simulate day and night conditions for plant, fish, and invertebrate studies. The project also includes a new secure storage building for boats and a wash-down area for decontaminating field gear. Water will be collected and treated on-site.
“After renovation, this will truly be one of the best AIS research facilities in the country,” said Dr. Susan Galatowitsch, MAISRC Director. “The ability to control light, temperature, and water flow for experiments will create opportunities never before possible for invasive plant research at the U.”
“We’re really excited and honored to be working on this project for the Center,” added Rob Darnell, Project Manager with Burns & McDonnell, the firm responsible for design and construction administration of the space. “We anticipate completing renovations in December and having these important research projects up and operational by January 2016.”
Major funding for the renovation was provided by the Minnesota Legislature and the University of Minnesota. Stay tuned for more updates about the lab as construction proceeds.
