At the July 16 Hospital Commission meeting, Architect Tom Johnson and Project Manager Diane Adler of Bates and Associates gave commissioners their first look at four “site and building concepts” for remodeling Eureka Springs Hospital.
Adler said the new hospital under Option 1 would cover 56,000 sq. ft. in two stories and cost $21.1 million. There would be clinic space, an addition for a 20-bed inpatient unit and a 10-bed behavioral unit for geriatric patients. She said the design would separate emergency room activity from the in-patient section, and there would be improved departmental contingencies.
Much of the existing facility would come down to accommodate this plan, but she said it could be completed in three discrete phases.
Option B featured a two-level parking garage with 70 spaces. There would be 15 in-patient beds, and again the rooms of various services, such as radiology, would be brought together for better workflow. This option included a six-bed behavioral unit that could be transitioned to in-patient if needed. Option B would have 49,700 sq. ft. of floor space and cost $21.2 million. This plan would call for removing the 1929 building.
Option C would also remove the 1929 building and would total out to 58,700 sq. ft. of floor space in two stories at a cost of $22.9 million. There would be additions on multiple sides of the existing building, and again departments would be re-positioned for improved workflow.
Adler called Option D the “micro-hospital.” The 1929 building would stay although Johnson pointed out it is the kind of old wooden building which in most remodels she has seen are taken down. Adler said this option would have 10 in-patient beds, but the most important improvement would again be re-organizing for an effective flow of traffic for the various services and activities. This option would provide 41,000 sq. ft. of floor space at a cost of $13.5 million, and could be accomplished in two phases.
Adler told commissioners the next step would be for them to consider the options, determine what changes are called for, and Bates would then produce a revised cost. At some point Allegiance Health Care must get involved because its monthly amount for leasing operation of ESH would be affected.
Johnson said Options B and C were most like what Allegiance said it wanted when discussions first began.
Commissioner Suzanne Bourdelot commented Option D would not be a significant enough improvement to impress the naysayers in town, and commissioner Barbara Dicks said she wished she knew what Allegiance wanted.
Chair Michael Merry said Allegiance calls the next shot because they will decide if they can afford a surety bond based on an option they choose.
Commissioner Leva Murphy pointed out, “But it will be our hospital. They are tenants.”
Merry agreed but insisted the commission needed Allegiance to be on board and active in the process. Commissioners eventually decided Johnson and Adler would present the options to Allegiance so its management would be familiar with them before they meet with the commission.
Next regular meeting will be Monday, August 20, at 12:30 p.m., at ECHO Clinic.