Phase I construction involved clearing the site and bringing in utilities. Click here if you wish to revisit Phase 1.

In order to minimize download times, the images for the actual building construction in Phase II are organized by time periods. Click on one of the periods listed below. Remember that each section contains many pictures, so be patient if you have a slower Internet connection. It may take several minutes.

May 17, 1999 to May 27, 1999. Trench the site for the foundation footings; begin installation of pipe and conduit; pour the foundation footings.

June 1, 1999 to June 16, 1999. Complete underground electrical and plumbing; pouring the slab; putting up the steel frame; begin installing steel studs.

June 17, 1999 to Jun 30, 1999. Install more steel studs; begin application of plywood to exterior walls; ceiling beams on interior rooms; some interior plumbing; lay out catwalk.

July 1, 1999 to July 9, 1999. Prepare to install the upper roof; begin installing air handling duct work, wall insulation, and electrical conduits; complete the plywood on the upper roof.

July 20, 1999 to July 30, 1999. Frame building front; install catwalk; continue interior drywall; install and weatherproof parapet roof; insulate upper roof and most of the interior; begin auditorium drywall; begin work on lobby ceiling.

August 3, 1999 to August 31, 1999. Install auditorium air handling; begin installing lobby lights; exterior felting on upper roof; Dr. Downing visits the Planetarium; install lobby drywall; begin pouring exterior sidewalks and patio.

September 1, 1999 to September 23, 1999. Complete exterior sidewalks and patio; patch and tape interior drywall; install doors and windows; install drop ceiling framing; paint upper auditorium black; tile the bathrooms; install electrical and data outlets; begin interior painting.

September 27, 1999 to October 6, 1999. The Planetarium dome is installed: the truck from Spitz; installing the frame; installing the dome panels. Other interior electrical work.

October 6, 1999 to October 28, 1999. Lobby ceiling and lights; drop ceiling in other rooms; install granite floor in lobby and hallway; finish underside of catwalk; begin copper roof installation; install lobby cabinets.

November 1, 1999 to November 18, 1999. Continue installation of copper roof; remove previous EIFS foam; complete copper roof; auditorium lighting.

November 23, 1999 to December 10, 1999. The auditorium seats are installed. Begin installation of exterior finish system: new Tyvek stuccowrap; new foam panels; add decorative grooves to foam. More finish work in the lobby.

December 13, 1999 to December 31, 1999. Begin Dryvit base coat application to exterior; paint the lobby; finish cabinet work in lobby; exterior Ameristone and color fields are applied; Downing Planetarium sign is installed; Steve White works on planetarium controls and cabling.

January 5, 2000 to January 20, 2000 Complete exterior finish; install the Planetarium operating system.

February 1, 2000 to February 5, 2000 Switch on exterior lighting. Prepare for lift-off. The gala Building Dedication.

March 8, 2000 to ... Details, details. Building fixes and show preparations.

click here to see details of the construction plans. The floor plans will help you make the connection between the construction images and the finished Planetarium.