River Hospital unveils $7 million renovation plans to enhance emergency care, behavior health capabilities
Enhancements are designed to improve access to the hospital's services, facilitate further growth over the next decade, hospital says.
Rendering of renovated River Hospital-Alexandria Bay, NY
River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, New York, has unveiled plans to renovate the campus' main building and construct a new facility for integrated primary and behavioral care. The enhancements are designed to not only improve access to the hospital's services, but to facilitate further growth over the next decade.
The project is estimated to cost $7.25 million, and will be supported through a combination of community fundraising, grant funding and hospital reserves.
Renovations to the main building will include enhancements to the hospital's emergency department, specifically a new, three-story, 26,000-square-foot facility that will replace the five modular units that were temporarily installed on the campus in 2007.
The new facility is designed to provide mental health services to river community residents, active-duty soldiers stationed at Fort Drum and the region's veterans. It will also bring River Hospital's administrative offices back onto the institution's main campus.
[Also: Updated list of hospital contruction and expansion projects in 2016]
The hospital has formed a volunteer committee of community members to lead the fundraising effort, co-chaired by Richard H. Macsherry and Ray Smith, and a public campaign goal will be announced later this summer.
"This is the first and only capital project of its kind since the hospital's founding," said Macsherry in a statement, "and we look forward to working with our dedicated staff and community to make it succeed."
Hospital CEO Ben Moore said in a statement that in order to meet the growing needs of the community, "River Hospital must expand its infrastructure and enhance its services."
Twitter: @JELagasse
