PHOENIX (June 10, 2021) — Plaza Companies and the design and construction team behind the new Creighton University Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Health Sciences Campus in central Phoenix were honored by the university this week for their exceptional work on the new facility.
The Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, President of Creighton University presented more than a dozen contractors and firms with a replica of the blue, blown-glass flame created by Scottsdale artist Newt Grover installed on the building’s second floor.
The illuminated glass sculptures are one of the most prominent features of the building’s art collection, and the blue flame in particular links to both the Jesuit faith and Creighton’s main campus in Omaha, Nebraska.
In a ceremony on June 9, Hendrickson praised the team for their diligent work during the pandemic to complete the building despite the challenges created by the public health crisis.
“Two years ago we broke ground and we prayed among other things for the safety of construction workers,” Hendrickson said. “And then the pandemic hit, and we doubled our prayers and the workers donned their masks and doubled up their efforts, and look at what they’ve created.
“Now as we see the fruits of the labor, our prayers have turned to those of gratitude and great thanks giving for the culmination of your determination and commitment. At 183,000 square feet, this building may not be the largest you have built, but certainly it ranks as the most important.”
Creighton’s new $100 million Health Sciences Campus will open this fall, and will serve nearly 900 students, invigorating Arizona’s health infrastructure with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists and more — each educated in Creighton’s distinctive Jesuit, Catholic mission of service. By 2024.Creighton will be the largest Catholic educator of health sciences professionals.
“The building represents the largest investment that Creighton has ever made in a facility beyond the borders of its Omaha campus,” Hendrickson said. “We take confidence and pride in the workmanship that so many of you helped create, and the expression of our commitment to the Southwest.”
Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, the master developer of the building, praised the construction team for their exceptional work.
“Everyone involved in this project showed an incredible commitment to creating a world-class facility,” said Harper, who also serves on the Board of Trustees for Creighton University. “This health sciences campus will have a dramatically positive impact on Arizona and help train the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Plaza Companies is the developer of the campus, with work overseen by Jon Stelzer, Senior Vice President and Susan Byram, Vice President of Design and Construction. Okland Construction is the general contractor for the building. Butler Design Group is the architect and RDG Planning & Design is serving as the conceptual and tenant design and improvement architect for the campus.
The design and construction team also included:
• AME Landscaping Companies
• artstudio 1.0.1
• Comfort Systems USA Southwest
• Commonwealth Electric Company
• Complete Fire Protection
• Field Verified Inc.
• Kraemer Consulting Engineers
• Levake Construction
• McGrew Consulting Engineers
• PK Associates
• Progressive Services
• Quality Janitorial Services
• Royal Sign
• TP Acoustics
• Wood, Patel & Associates
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council estimates Creighton’s expansion will create more than 250 jobs; $124.5 million in personal income; $12 million in tax revenues and more than $300 million in total economic output.
Plaza Companies, based in Peoria, Arizona, is an esteemed leader in the developing and managing of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. For more information about Plaza Companies, visit ThePlazaCo.com.
