For the past year and a half, construction crews have been hard at work at Upstate University Hospital. They're building the brand new Upstate Cancer Center. Hospital officials say they're halfway through the process. Our Iris St. Meran stopped by the site to get an update.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The vision for the Upstate Cancer Center is at the halfway point of reality.

"The Upstate Cancer Center just passed a milestone. We put up the first piece of steel yesterday," said University Hospital Chief Operating Officer Paul Seale.

For the past year and a half, crews have been hard at work along East Adams Street. Tuesday, crews poured concrete, moved steel beams and worked on what will be the first floor lobby.

LeChase Construction Project Superintendent Robert Noble said, "We're also working on three basement areas two of which are in progress. One of them the shoring has just been completed. As of Monday we have begun the steel erection from the eastern section and we're working our way west."

When it's all done, it will be five stories and all the patients' treatment needs will be in one place. It will offer a number of amenities, including a meditation center, expanded cafe and patient education space.

Upstate Cancer Center Medical Director Leslie Kohman said, "We know nobody wants to be coming into a cancer center. For those who have to come, we want them to have surroundings that will reduce their anxiety and make them feel supported as they go through this very difficult time."

One addition to the Upstate Cancer Center that the hospital is excited about are Radiation Therapy Machines. When the center opens, they'll be only the third in the country to have them.

"As we bring these sophisticated technologies to the region, it's always very heartening to know we're extending the reach of our institution further out into the Central New York Market," said Seale.

That’s all with a goal of better serving those battling cancer and their loved ones.

The nearly $75 million facility is expected to be completed by fall of 2013. It's being paid for by bonds and a capital campaign.