Construction News & Updates

Read our construction updates each month as we make progress on the new hospital expansion!

May 2012 Update

Since the last construction update two months ago, the pulse of the project has increased even more so. On March 7th, NCH took ownership to nearly all of the floors of the building to begin and/or complete the installation of medical equipment, furniture, computers, telephones, IT equipment, etc. The certificate of occupancy was issued at that time from the City of Columbus Building Department so that we could begin moving some staff into the building to begin training, systems implementation, and coordination of engineering systems.

Many of our hospital staff are now working through the process of getting familiar with their new departments. Tours are being conducted with various departments so that they can plan on their upcoming move in June. One of the next key dates approaching will be when the new kitchen opens and we begin serving food from the new lower level commercial kitchen. This state of the art kitchen will give us the ability to provide a variety of quality and tasty food to patients, staff, and visitors. The goal is to start cooking and feeding patients on or about May 17th . The nutrition department will actually be moving their offices to their new digs on May 7th, next week!

Some construction continues in various areas to finish out the building but for the most part, the building is nearly complete with the June 20th “GO LIVE” date still set in concrete! When we started construction nearly 4 years ago, June 20, 2012 seemed so far away. Well, June 20th is almost here and time has really flown by! Together, the design team, multiple contractors, and numerous staff have contributed a huge amount of expertise and time in making our new hospital, site park, and underground garage facilities a big success.

We are now in the midst of planning our grand opening events. There are many details being worked out behind the scenes to make our grand opening a very special and once in a life time experience.

So, get ready to “Go Live”.

• Aerial photos of the site (Provided by Turner Smoot Construction)
  
• View from the roof of Research 3 building
  
• View of the site park from the roof of Research 3 Building
  
• The new Research 3 building has a unique design. Up on the roof, there are even “space ship” looking exhaust fans. Seems appropriate for a research facility.
  
  
• The west side entrance to Research 3.
  
• From a conference area up on the 5th floor, there is a very nice view of the main campus.
  
• A view of the outdoor dining area. Tables and chairs will be arriving soon so that the space can be used on our “Go Live” date.
  
• A row of “mushroom seats” are in place now for kids and adults to relax on from their hospital visit.
  
• Heading east along the first floor corridor from the Emergency Department, people will have a nice view of the exterior and the special graphics on the walls designed into the building.
  
• Near the main lobby, a convenient pharmacy will be accessible for our families.
  
• Some of the new trauma and exam rooms in the Emergency Department
  
  
• Nurse stations in the Emergency Department
  
  
• Located on each floor, special niches have been created to share some interesting facts about our animal friends. I didn’t know that mice were afraid of heights. Maybe that’s why this one’s eyes are wide open!
  
• View of one of the many nurse stations throughout the building. Each one has a specific color to help families, friends, and staff navigate our new building.
  
• On the upper floors, exam rooms are completed along with the new physical therapy work out area on the 9th floor.
  
  
• Did you know that the Honda Civic used for physical therapy can move up and down so you can simulate taller vehicles to get into?
  
• One of many corridors that have been spiffed up and polished. It is ready to go.
  
• The cafeteria entrance on the lower level is bright and colorful as well. I can almost smell the food already!
  
• At the serving line, you will be able to read the menu offerings of the day from large screen monitors. How cool is that.
  
• Behind the scenes in the kitchen, bright and shiny new equipment is set and ready to go.
  
• Special ovens, grills and exhaust hoods have been inspected recently and passed the test from various inspectors.
  
• When you select and pick up your food, you will head through the new convenient check outs and find a nice seat in the dining area.
  
• The dining area will have direct view and access to the outdoor dining courtyard. Natural lighting has been one of the key design elements in our new facilities and it does make a difference in a patient’s health and the work environment.
  
• There will be a variety of seating arrangements in the dining area.