WVU Hospitals announced plans to construct a 10-story tower to address capacity issues and better serve the healthcare needs of all West Virginians. The expansion, planned and designed by IKM Architects of Pittsburgh, PA, marks the Hospital’s largest construction project since the construction of Ruby Memorial Hospital in the late-1980s. As a result of the expansion, the Hospital expects to add 750 permanent jobs and 139 new beds.
“Today’s announcement follows months of planning and design meetings to develop the master plan for the expansion,” said John Schrott, AIA, ACHA, president of IKM. Schrott, an accredited member of the American College of Healthcare Architects, is principal architect in charge for the planning and design of the project.
“IKM’s mission is to design innovative and informed architecture that positively impacts the world. This project is an excellent example of our mission at work,” said Schrott. “We greatly appreciate working with the leadership at WVU Hospitals who understand the opportunity this expansion has to leverage the built environment to improve the patient experience.”
Bruce McClymonds, president and CEO of WVU Hospitals, statements supported this, “Our goal is to provide access to all of the great resources we have here at WVU Hospitals’ Ruby Memorial and WVU Children’s Hospital for anyone who needs them. In doing so, we will remain true to our mission of caring for people from every corner of the state.”
The $280-million tower will take four years to complete. It will expand WVU Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Department and the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center.
The expansion will require a new and larger Rosenbaum Family House and Child Development Center. The expansion will also result in expanded food service and conference spaces, additional elevators, parking and campus roadways. Currently, all but 30 hospital rooms are private. When the project is complete, all patient rooms will be private.
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who attended a press conference announcing the project along with WVU President James P. Clements, Ph.D., called the expansion of Ruby Memorial “a giant step forward in patient care.” He added that the jobs it will create are another sign that the state’s economy is strong. “These 750 good jobs, with benefits, show that West Virginia is moving forward.”
The expansion will be subject to Certificate of Need approval by the West Virginia Health Care Authority. Construction costs are estimated to be $248 million with the remaining $32 million for financing and other related costs.
About IKM
IKM Incorporated is an architecture, planning and interior design firm whose mission is to create innovative and informed architecture that positively impacts the world through leadership in understanding, exploration and decision making. The firm’s vision is to be recognized for excellence in institutional and corporate architecture, design and advancing their client’s mission.
IKM is a signatory of the 2030 Commitment sponsored by the American Institute of Architects to adapt their operations and design product to the highest level of environmental consciousness. The firm’s sustainability portfolio includes the LEED® Certified Westinghouse Corporate Headquarters campus, LEED® Silver renovation and addition to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the University of Pittsburgh’s LEED® GoldMcGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Visit the website: www.ikminc.com for more information.