TAMPA – Tampa, FL -The Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute state-of-the-art facility opens its doors to the public on Saturday, September 15, 2007. The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is proud to invite members of the community celebrating the completion of the world’s largest free standing Alzheimer's research facility. The event starts at 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Byrd Alzheimer's Institute located at 4001, E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL.

“The building reflects the values of the Institute: collaboration, excellence, and first, technology in service to the mission. We are so ecstatic with emotion about this historical event and welcome the community to join us in this joyous occasion in launching the completion of the world's largest freestanding Alzheimer's research facility,” says Huntington Potter, PhD, CEO and Scientific Director of the Byrd Institute.

Community members are invited to delve into and explore what the Institute offers. Meet the scientists and learn about current research programs and studies. A 'hands-on' interactive tour will give a firsthand look at the work of the Institute’s world-class research scientists. This is the public's first opportunity to see the new building, its lab and clinical research facilities. Refreshments and prizes!

The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Grand Opening
Saturday, September 15, 2007
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
4001 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613

To RSVP or for more information, contact Kelleigh Klein at 813.319.4126 or kklein@byrdinstitute.org

Building facts and history:

Construction began in 2004 and in April 2005, the 7-story building rose to more than 100 feet in height as the floor of the 7th and final floor was poured.

On May 12th, 2006 a public ceremony was held to celebrate the “topping-off” of the building. This event marked the placement of the last structural element and the beginning of the finishing elements of construction. Inside the structure of the building, work began on the framing elements and the floor plan was beginning to take shape. Stud walls, electrical and plumbing rough-ins had started in the basement and first floors.

The building was transformed from a concrete skeleton to an architecturally significant glass and stucco structure, a Tampa landmark.

Staff began moving into the completed facility in the spring of 2007.

108,000 feet, the largest free-standing research facility dedicated to Alzheimer’s

• 60,000 square feet of laboratory research space
• 20,000 square feet of clinical research space
• 2,000 square fee for education and community space

The 4th floor is under construction now and should ready for occupancy by November 2007.

Research includes investigations into bio-chemical markers for Alzheimer’s, the effects of environmental enrichment on brain function, the genetic link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’ and the therapeutic effects of caffeine.

A future MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) / PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan suite is planned for the second floor.

• We use a simplified network infrastructure that efficiently serves multiple institute systems.
• We provide aggregated communications for researchers around the state. This is done with videoconferencing and secure data exchange portals.
• All lab researchers have dry workspaces to document their findings
• PI’s are located near their labs

Created in 2002 by the Florida Legislature, the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute is dedicated to supporting and coordinating the tremendous research, expertise and creative vision of scientific professionals all over Florida. The National Institutes of Health designated the Byrd Institute and the University of South Florida as the only Alzheimer’s disease Research Center in Florida, generating more than $7 million in research money. There are only 32 of these centers in the country, and Florida is one of only 21 states with centers that have earned the designation.

###

Return to Institute News