The first entirely new structure in the series of campus renovations known collectively as Bioscience Connecticut is officially open.

A four-deck parking garage now stands on what used to be the I Lot in front of the main building. Known as Garage 3, it has 403 spaces, currently assigned to faculty and staff displaced by construction of the new hospital tower, which starts this month.

The garage ultimately will be open to a mixed population of faculty, staff, patients and visitors, later in the campus construction process. Until then, patients and visitors will continue to use the free valet parking service.

“Garage 3 is the first phase of the hospital patient tower project,” says Tom Trutter, associate vice president for campus planning, design and construction. “The completion of the garage and site work is an important first milestone for Bioscience Connecticut, marking the first completed structure on time and on budget.”

Work on Garage 3, which is designed to complement the architecture of the new hospital tower and the existing main building, started last summer.

“Garage 3 is designed for LEED Silver standards, including energy efficient LED lighting, and bike racks,” Trutter says.

Later this year, the lower campus garage, to be known as Garage 1, will open, adding more than 1,200 additional spaces.

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