Ocean Science and Education Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by Marty Getrich.
Public Access
Are the public trails available for hiking?
Yes. All trails that were there before the Laboratory started construction are still there, however they are closed where the construction is in process.
Where can hikers park?
At this time, parking is only available along the street. Once construction is completed, public parking will be available in the parking lot anyone interested in taking advantage of the trail network around the campus.
Will there be any public restrooms available?
No. The current phase of campus construction does not include public restroom facilities.
Will the dock be available for public use?
No.
Is it possible to arrange a tour of the site?
Yes. Once the construction moves beyond the excavating and blasting phases small, organized tours can be scheduled, as long as conditions allow for safe transit.
Will the library be open to the public?
The library at McKown Point, which is open to the public, will not move until a future phase.
Will any of the new facilities be available for public use?
The future administration building will have an auditorium and café area that will be available to schedule for public events.
What hours will the campus be open?
Normal business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Directions
- From Route 1 in Edgecomb (going North or South) - Take Rte. 27 South toward Boothbay.
- Travel 10.8 miles to Boothbay Harbor.
- Take a left onto Rte. 96/Ocean Point Rd at the traffic lights at Hannaford Shopping Center.
- Travel 2.8 miles on Rte 96 – going past the East Boothbay General Store
- and Murray Hill Rd on the right.
- On the left, watch for the Consigli- Bigelow sign at 300 Ocean Point Road.
- Turn left and follow the paved drive to the parking area.
Timing and Logistics
When will the Laboratory move into the new buildings?
We estimate that our scientists will move into the first building, the “Bigelow Center for Blue Biotechnology,” by late November 2011. The second and third buildings, The Center for Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change and The Center of Ocean Health will be ready to be occupied in until late May 2012.
When will the project be completed?
The entire project will not be completed until a fourth science wing and administration building are built. Construction of these facilities has not been scheduled at this time.
What will happen to the McKown Point Road facilities?
The facilities that the Laboratory rents from the Department of Marine Resources on McKown Point will be emptied of Bigelow personnel and property. All McKown point property will be returned to DMR for their use, with the exception of Welch House (143 McKown Point Road), which will continue to be occupied by Laboratory personnel.
People and Numbers
Once the campus completed, how many permanent Bigelow research and administrative positions will there be?
We anticipate a staff of approximately 100 full time employees at full capacity.
How many construction jobs does this project create?
Over 200 people will be working on the construction project.
How much land will the new facilities occupy?
Only 14 of the 64 acres that the Laboratory owns in East Boothbay will be developed for the new campus.
How many square feet of laboratory space, office space, and public space will there be after the first three wings are built?
The Bigelow Center for Blue Biotechnology will occupy 24,740 square feet.
The Center for Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change will occupy 17,197 square feet.
The Center for Ocean Heath, including the shore facility, will occupy 19,200 square feet.
How much bigger will the new space be, compared to the McKown Point facilities?
Current Bigelow facilities occupy 22,900 square feet of space.
What is the cost of the project?
Construction of the first three science wings plus site work will cost $31,332,000.
Who are the architects, engineers, construction managers for this project?
Participants in this project include:
WBRC (http://www.wbrcae.com/) -- Engineers
Perkins + Will (http://www.perkinswill.com/) -- Architects
Consigli (http://www.consigli.com/) -- Construction Managers
Terrence J. Dewan & Associates (http://www.tjda.net/) – Landscape Architects
Fore Solutions (http://www.fore-solutions.com/) - LEED Consultants
How were they selected?
Through a formal RFQ (Request for Quote), in keeping with federal and state guidelines.
How much does each building/wing cost?
Costs, including all fees are:
Site Work -- $2,222,000
Bigelow Center for Blue Biotechnology -- $9,963,000
Center for Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change -- $7,244,000
Center for Ocean Health -- $11,903,000
How much of this cost is covered by taxpayer dollars (i.e., federally and state- funded)?
Site Work – $0 (covered entirely by private contributions)
Bigelow Center for Blue Biotechnology (BCBB) -- $4,454,000 (from the Maine Technology Asset Fund)
Center for Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change (COBCC) -- $4,975,000 (from the National Science Foundation)
Center for Ocean Health (COH) -- $9,146,000 (from the National Institute for Standards and Technology)
Environmental Considerations
What are the environmentally sensitive areas on the site and how will they be protected?
Vernal pools, wetlands, and marine habitats were identified by surveys conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. All sensitive areas are being protected and preserved to the greatest extent possible.
How will the buildings be lighted, heated, and cooled?
Electric and gas power are being purchased from Central Maine Power and propane suppliers. The buildings are designed to LEED Gold standards to maximize daylighting, absorb as much solar heat as possible, and minimize the use of propane for generating heat.
Are there plans for solar, wind, tidal, or geothermal power?
Many innovative energy saving systems are being incorporated into this facility, including vegetative roofing, an enthalpy thermal recovery wheel, and an integrated building management system that monitors and modulates energy use throughout the day to increase energy efficiencies. Use of ocean water for thermal heat and conduction is also under consideration.
Will there be an electric car charging station on the site?
Not at this stage of the project.
What is LEED certification?
LEED is a third-party certification program of the U.S. Green Building Council and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
How will materials from the construction site be recycled, reused, or disposed of?
Building construction is engineered to minimize waste. All materials derived from the construction of the site have gone back into the building and surrounding areas (e.g., site work rock and gravel is being used on site; stumps and cutting are being used as mulch, etc.). Very little material ends up as waste.
Once construction is completed, what are the Laboratory’s plans for recycling and hazardous waste management on the site?
Recycling is an integral part of the Laboratory’s waste management program. We recycles to the greatest extent available through local refuse companies.
Hazardous waste disposal is contracted out with a regional waste disposal company for proper disposal for each type of material. The Laboratory minimizes waste disposal by purchasing only the minimum quantities necessary for particular activities.
For more information:
How can the public find out more about the construction project and the new campus?
Visit www.bigelow.org and http://bigeloweastboothbycampus.blogspot.com/ or call the Bigelow Communications Office at (207) 633-9633.