Hospital breaks ground on new expansion

Hospital Chief Executive Vince Oliver said the new Medical Arts Pavilion may also house a new dialysis unit. He said the hospital is under discussions with the state over that. But, he also told the small gathering that the expansion will also include new visibility on Commercial Ave., something, he said, the hospital has long desired.

Outgoing Hospital District Board Chairman Chip Bogosian acknowledged the donation of Bud and Ann Merle, who have donated $1.6 million to the Island Hospital Foundation. He said, "In recognition of this very generous gift dedicated to our oncology program, the service will be named The Merle Family Cancer Care Center at Island Hospital," in their honor.

The hospital will also pave 25th St. from Commercial Ave. west one block to a new parking lot, adjacent to the new building. There will be parking on both sides of the street and pavement will consist of pervious pavement to allow rainwater to soak into the ground. Adjacent to the new 25th St. parking entrance will be a small rain garden.

Oliver said construction, which started just after the groundbreaking, should be completed by November of this year, with the facility up and running in January, 2012.