McCarthy Starts $140M Hospital Development

Designed by NTD Architecture of San Diego, the tower project reflects the challenges of healthcare expansions and renovations, according to Steven Mynsberge, executive vice president and healthcare business unit leader for McCarthy. Mynsberge explains that one of those challenges is that hospitals need to continue operating during the construction projects. In the case of Methodist Hospital, McCarthy's plan to reduce the impact of construction on everyday operations was to create interim main entrance and to move the emergency department's triage and waiting room spaces.

After tower construction is complete, a new entry structure will be built to include a covered drop-off area between the new and existing facilities at the 460-bed, not-for-profit hospital, which was founded in 1903. The 154,486-square-foot project will include an emergency department on the first floor; a 20-bed intensive care unit and pharmacy on the second floor; 40 medical/surgical beds each on the third, fourth and fifth floors; and support services on the basement level.

Construction of the patient tower, which is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2011, will ensure the hospital's compliance with California Senate Bill 1953, which requires seismic upgrades for all acute care facilities before 2013 deadline. The $218 million project will be funded using tax-exempt bond financing insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.