FARMINGTON, Conn. – KBE Building Corporation and The Hayner Hoyt Corporation recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of a major addition at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, N.Y. The $80-million project was both under budget and ahead of schedule. The two firms are working in partnership, providing construction management at-risk services for the hospital expansion project. King + King Architects provided design services.
The addition consists of a 73,000-square-foot surgical suite with 15 operating rooms. These rooms are 50 percent larger than the existing ORs and were built to improve patient outcomes, facilitate optimal workflow, maintain a sterile environment and provide flexibility to accommodate current and emerging surgical techniques.
The project also included a new 12,100-square-foot central-sterile unit, which is nearly four times larger than the former 40-year-old unit. Positioned adjacent to the new surgical suite, the unit increases safety and efficiency through the use of “green” instrument washers, which will save water and electricity.
In addition, the post-anesthesia care unit – which was designed to enhance care for patients just before and right after surgery – has been expanded from 16 to 25 patient beds, increasing annual capacity from 10,500 to 14,000 patients.
These additions and renovations are the first phase of an overall expansion of the hospital.
The expansion was designed to not only meet the needs of patients and community, but also demonstrate that the hospital’s environmental commitments align with Syracuse’s identity as one of 10 top green communities in the nation, as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With the help of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, subsequent phases of this expansion will use sustainable design principles, such as:
- solar panels
- day-lighting views
- energy conserving systems
- greenway park
- site drainage
- underground water and storm water infrastructure
These features will reduce the hospital’s energy costs and impact on the environment. KBE Building Corporation and The Hayner Hoyt Corporation will seek LEED certification.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place at St. Joseph’s Hospital on June 17. The ceremony included enthusiastic praise from New York Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, a prayer/blessing and a tour of the new facility.
