New Hospital getting a solid foundation before construction begins

New Hospital getting a solid foundation before construction begins

Dirt work pushes back start of building process, explains Baptist administrator

news@theeveningtimes.com

On your marks, get set, but still no go — at least not in terms of seeing a physical structure being built.

Many local residents are ready to see a start to Crittenden County’s new Baptist Hospital construction.

The new site is snuggled between 7th Street Extended and Highway 77 in West Memphis, with Interstate Interchange frontage, directly across from Cracker Barrel.

Brian Welton, CEO and Administrator of Baptist Crittenden presented the construction timeline in response to an inquiry from the Evening Times.

Preliminary design plans sailed through the West Memphis planning committee and the Design and Review Commission late last summer. The DRC voted unanimously at that time to approve the plans as presented, with grading and drainage plans yet to be submitted. Commissioners delegated approval of drainage plans to the City Planning Commission administration.

City Planner Paul Luker said from the city perspective everything was pretty well set.

“They’ve been through the design and review process,” said Luker. “They have submitted a grading and drainage plan, and that has been approved. They should be able to start moving dirt.”

The 65,000 square-foot facility will initially include an emergency room, inpatient beds, cancer services, imaging and diagnostics, operating rooms and other services. Welton said he has been receiving input about the plans for the local medical community.

“I have been meeting with physicians and community leaders to share plans and get feedback,” said Welton.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held last September, shortly after the DRC said everything was set, but breaking ground with heavy equipment did not immediately follow, as many thought it would.

State regulations steered the contractor selection process and set back plans to start work in early fall 2016.

“We have chosen Flintco to be our construction manager agency,” said Welton on Tuesday morning.

Regulations also required extensive soil testing because the hospital has to meet earthquake safety standards. The samples sent construction planners to look for a more stable fill dirt. Now, the winter weather and wet gumbo clay is making it too difficult to do foundation work and grading.

Seasonal conditions have construction planners slating dirt work to begin in the next couple of months, weather permitting. Welton explained the delay and shared the construction schedule.

“We continue to work toward building a new hospital for the residents of Crittenden County,” said Welton. “Several factors have made it necessary for us to start construction later than we would have liked,” said Welton. “First, we learned we’ll have to bring in soil from another location to ensure we build the hospital on a sturdy foundation. This work will take several months. After the dirt work is complete, construction on the hospital will begin.”

After the dirt work a foundation will be laid and hospital construction will be seen by those driving by as the building is erected. The project should wrap up in late fall or early winter of 2018 according to Baptist Hospital spokeswoman Ayoka Pond.

Welton expressed optimism about the new Baptist Crittenden facility.

“I am excited about the progress we’re making in designing and planning for the hospital, and the support we have received from the community,” said Welton.

By John Rech