Medstar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) has applied for the approval of $567 million renovation and construction plan, which would include building a new surgical pavilion on part of what is currently the Epicurean and Darnall parking lot.
“The building will contain a brand new emergency department, right-sizing the emergency department, it will contain 156 single adult ICU and [intermediate care] beds … and it will also contain 32 new operating rooms,” said MGUH President Dr. Richard Goldberg. “The building will have three levels of underground parking and our proposed plan is to move our outdoor loading dock underground, as well as our materials management and central sterile supply, and we feel that moving these things underground will enhance traffic circulation.”
The money for the project will come from a variety of sources, including philanthropy, bond financing, and funds on hand, according to Washington Business Journal.
The plan aims to alleviate concerns caused by the size and age of the hospital, which was built more than 30 years ago, according to Goldberg.
“MedStar Georgetown has been a successful hospital since 2003 and the main obstacle that we face is our space, currently, it’s old, it’s worn-out,” Goldberg said. “It was designed in other days, the last building was built approximately 30 to 35 years ago on campus, and it’s important to have adequate space, right-sized space, for the patients’ experience.”
The project would include a three-floor underground parking garage and would also convert part of the existing lot into green space. This was done in conjunction with campus planning efforts, as well as with the goal of mediating the surrounding neighborhoods’ concerns.
“Part of our moving some of those things [that currently use the Reservoir Road entrance], such as the loading dock and material management underground, we believe, helps decrease congestion from trucks that are unloading … so they don’t pose an obstacle to traffic flow,” Goldberg said.
Hospital officials hope to begin construction by December 2016, with an estimated completion date in 2020, the Washington Business Journal reported. Planning will continue in conjunction with the Georgetown Community Partnership and the Master Planning Consortium, said Dr. Todd Olson, vice president for Student Affairs.
“A lot of [the campus planning process] is us talking together about what’s the best future for everyone involved, everyone at the university and everyone in the community, and our partners at Medstar Health, at the hospital as well,” Olson said.
GUSA also seeks to remain involved in this process, according to Ari Goldstein (COL’18), GUSA’s secretary for campus planning.
“GUSA looks forward to deeper engagement in MedStar’s master planning process as we craft a shared vision for north campus,” wrote Goldstein in an email to the Voice. “We welcome continuing conversations about green space, creative parking solutions, and mitigating the impact of construction around the hospital.”
The application, which was filed with the D.C. State Health Planning and Development Agency on Oct. 6, now moves into a process of official reviews.
