New transformer for new hospital

New transformer for new hospital

West Memphis Utility Department making moves to supply power to new facility

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Utilities has invested in a new transformer for a long awaited big new customer.

It was good news for all the new county Baptist Memorial Hospital and it came Thursday courtesy of the West Memphis Utilities Commission during its September meeting. The board awarded a bid for the transformer dedicated to power the medical institution under construction on North 7th Street.

Six companies submitted bids and competition was close for the unit 2000K VA 3 phase pandmount transformer. The equipment converts electric supply to the proper voltage to power hospital electric needs. The utilities invested in the unit priced in the $25,000 range. Availability is three months away and awarded to Stewart Irby Company.

Electric Superintendent Mike Downing was straight to the point.

“We have six bids and I recommend we go with the low bid on that,” said Downing.

The hospital ground work has shaped up with piers driven to help in the event of an earthquake and unstable dirt excavated and replaced with quality soil.

The dirt work pushed the opening back to early 2019. While the soil settled, parking and curbs have been paved revealing a footprint for the layout of the new facility originally planned at 65,000 square feet.

BMH-Crittenden CEO Brian Welton recently announced more square footage being added to the plans to support more serv- ices at what will be the only hospital in the county. The Hospital and the Crittenden County were slated to share the additional development expense.

By John Rech