St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center began the final phase of its expansion project, which began in 2005, last Friday.

The second phase of the project will cost $140 million and includes the construction of a 104,000-square-foot patient tower, according to an April 20 press release by the New York State Regional Economic Development Council.

The tower will contain 110 medical-surgical private patient rooms, a PeriAnesthesia Care Unit, expanded intensive care units and family waiting areas. The expansion of the downtown hospital will also feature a 73,000-square-foot surgical suite with 14 operating rooms, a 12,100-square-foot central sterile unit and 72 private patient rooms. In addition, a greenway connection to Northside businesses will be added to the north end of the hospital’s campus, according to the release.

Jarrod Bagatell, a member of St. Joseph’s Hospital medical staff executive committee, said he thinks the hospital’s campus expansion will be beneficial for the medical community.

‘I think the expansion is going to create a better environment for both the medical staff and our patients,’ Bagatell said. ‘With more space, private rooms and state of the art equipment, we are going to have a higher-quality medical environment.’

In addition to the benefits that the expansion will bring patients and the medical staff, Kathryn Ruscitto, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital, said in the release that she thinks the project will also benefit the local community.

‘In addition to meeting the healthcare needs of our community, this project also represents an opportunity for significant economic development for our region and serves as a catalyst for revitalization of Syracuse’s near North side,’ Ruscitto said in the release.

The total expansion project, which will cost approximately $220 million, is expected to create 400 long-term construction jobs and 150 permanent health care jobs, according to the release.

Rob Simpson, president and chief executive officer of CenterState CEO and co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, said in the release that the expansion will be beneficial to the local economy because Syracuse’s economy is highly influenced by the region’s medical facilities.

‘This region’s hospitals produce $3.1 billion in economic activity each year,’ Simpson said in the release. ‘The benefits of this project are long-lasting and align perfectly with our strategies for sustainable economic growth.’

Common Councilor Jake Barrett said he thinks the expansion will further benefit the surrounding community because the creation of the campus’ new greenway will connect the hospital to businesses on the Northside.

‘The greenway will help transform the area surrounding the hospital into a more welcoming place and connect the hospital’s medical staff, as well as patients and visitors, with local businesses,’ Barrett said.

New York State Assemblyman Samuel Roberts said in the release that projects like the hospital expansion are exactly what Central New York needs.

‘Economic development and job creation are the driving forces behind getting our region back on track,’ Roberts said. ‘By investing in such vital projects and hiring locally within the region, we are making sure our local businesses have the resources they need to create and maintain essential jobs that hardworking Central New York families depend on.’

adhitzle@syr.edu

Published on April 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Alexandra: adhitzle@syr.edu | @LexieHitzler