The dismantling of a hammerhead tower crane at the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion took place this past Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the facility at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The seven-story, 220,000-square-foot pavilion is being built on the north side of Waldemere Street, adjacent to the Jellison Cancer Institute Oncology Tower.
Designed by EYP Architects, which is now part of Page, the new pavilion occupies a site previously home to the former Cape Outpatient Surgery Center and a smaller building owned by Sarasota Memorial. Both structures were demolished to pave the way for this important development and its accompanying parking garage.
On the day of the crane’s removal, aerial photographs showed the surrounding streets barricaded to facilitate the operation. Large mobile cranes were positioned along Waldemere Street as crews began the dismantling process. The first step involved removing counterweights from the rear of the crane, which were lowered with the help of a mobile crane. Once cleared, rigging teams proceeded to detach sections of the jib, the crane’s long horizontal arm. The initial piece was carefully lowered to street level, where it was further disassembled into smaller components before being transported off-site.
This operation progressed methodically, ensuring minimal disruption to the active hospital campus. By the end of the day, the entire crane had been successfully removed.
Significant Progress on the Pavilion’s Construction
As the crane’s dismantling took place, the construction team also made considerable headway on the pavilion’s facade. The Waldemere Street elevation is nearly finished, with dark curtain wall glass enclosing all levels above the ground floor, complemented by horizontal metallic fins. Additionally, green sheathing is visible where framing has recently been installed, which will be layered with exterior insulation and finished with stucco.
On the Floyd Street elevation, crews are currently installing glass and sheathing systems to cover the remaining exposed portions of the concrete structure. The crane had been in place for the past year, lifting essential structural components and heavy mechanical and electrical equipment for the adjacent support building.
Earlier this summer, the construction team celebrated a topping-out ceremony and successfully set a pre-manufactured pedestrian bridge across Waldemere Street. This bridge allows uninterrupted patient care during construction, linking the pavilion to the existing Oncology Tower.
A Hub for Comprehensive Cancer Care
The Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion is the third major component of the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, which Sarasota Memorial Hospital established to offer advanced treatments, technologies, clinical trials, and supportive care close to home. Scheduled for completion in early 2026, the pavilion will house a wide range of outpatient cancer services, including surgical suites, advanced diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, infusion therapy, integrative care clinics, and a new breast health center.
It joins the 2020 Radiation Oncology Center and the 2021 Oncology Tower as the latest addition to the expanding Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Together, these facilities form a unified hub for oncology care across Sarasota Memorial’s campus.
The general contractor for this project is Turner Construction Company, collaborating closely with J2 Solutions. The crane was erected, operated, and dismantled by Lavoranti, ensuring that the construction process proceeded smoothly and efficiently.
As the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion continues to take shape, it promises to enhance the region’s healthcare landscape, providing essential cancer care services to the community.
