Southwest General Launches $128 Million Expansion

Southwest General Health Center will break ground tonight on a $128 million, four-year expansion that will replace the emergency room, add parking and create more private rooms.

The groundbreaking ceremony is set for 5-7 p.m. on the north side of the campus, along Bagley Road.

First phase of the project will create a new, larger emergency room; develop a new critical care unit; and add a patient parking garage on the north side of the main campus. Cost is estimated at $66 million.

Phase II of will include the creation of a new patient bed tower with 100 private patient rooms, renovation of the current patient rooms into private rooms and creation of a new main entrance for the hospital.

Completion of the entire project is slated for late 2015.

In late 2011, members of the Health System Board of Trustees unanimously approved the capital investment construction project.

During construction, traffic can still turn right from Bagley Road into the front parking lot to visit the emergency room or doctors in the front building, but patients are encouraged to use the Old Oak entrance.

The parking garage remains open. Valet parking also will be available, with stations set up by the emergency room and building C. It's free for anyone with a handicapped placard; others pay a small fee.