Healthcare

New Milford Hospital’s Arnhold Emergency Department Addition Breaks Ground – O&G Industries CM, The S/L/A/M Collaborative Architects

 

Exterior of New Milford Hospital Emergency Department

Exterior of New Milford Hospital Emergency Department

New Milford, CT – The 85-bed New Milford Hospital serves well over 20,000 patients a year through its current emergency department.  In an effort to continue its commitment to meeting the community’s healthcare needs and to good health for the residents of the region, the hospital has undertaken a $12 million project constructing the new Arnhold Emergency Department that will be located on the southwestern corner of the hospital’s current footprint, providing much safer access by car from Elm Street.

Hired in May 2013 as the construction manager, O&G jumped in with both feet, ready to begin pre-construction planning, drawing review and a construction document estimate.  Working closely with the hospital and the S/L/A/M Collaborative, the project’s architect, O&G developed site logistics and construction phasing plans to optimize site constraints and keep the hospital fully operational throughout the duration.  The collaborative team of owner, architect and construction manager worked over the summer and fall 2013, through value engineering and design completion to bring the project back into the hospital’s $12 million dollar budget.

Named in honor of the Arnhold family, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held October 4, 2013 to kick-off the 11,000sf emergency department addition project.   John Arnhold addressed the gathering of more than 200, calling attention to the “other generous donors” who are helping to make the dream of a new emergency department a reality, noting his family’s “honor and privilege to participate” in the project that will enhance the services available to the greater New Milford community.  John Murphy, M.D., western Connecticut Health Network president and chief executive officer said of its mission, that it is “committed to helping people renew themselves, overcome challenge and lead productive lives.”

The new patient-centric, state-of-the-art emergency department will help do just that.  While designing the Arnhold Emergency Department addition, S/L/A/M took the time to understand the varied needs of the senior population, families, pediatric patients and volunteer EMS that serve the community.  A new canopy and drop-off loop accessible by car from the Elm Street entrance alleviates the stress of trying to maneuver the Elm Street/Route 202 intersection and a new ambulance vestibule located at the back of the property will serve as a private entrance into the emergency department.  Designed to house 13 exam rooms, one critical care room, one triage room and a large central nursing station for direct oversight of patient rooms, the new emergency department will also include separate rooms for OB/GYN and behavioral health.  Connecting to the existing hospital via a glass corridor, its stone exterior will carry through the familiar copper accents from the adjacent building.  The new addition will host a rooftop garden, be environmentally friendly and highly efficient; built on the Planetree, patient-centered philosophy in place at New Milford Hospital.  Few interior renovations include relocating the existing cafeteria, cardio department and office space.

Breaking ground in February 2014, after bidding and a further round of value engineering, O&G’s first order of business is to prepare the site of the addition.  In order to construct the new emergency space, two houses on Treadwell Avenue have been demolished, enabling the new addition to be built into the neighboring hillside, creating a park-like setting.  Additional site improvements include rock removal, relocation of underground utilities, the construction of retaining walls and landscaping once the new building is complete.  In constant communication with the Hospital, O&G’s management team, led by our project manager, Carrie Riera and superintendent, Mike Edwards, ensures the current facility remains fully operational, with minimal disturbance to emergency, inpatient or outpatient services.

Steven W. Ansel, AIA, ACHA, a S/L/A/M principal, notes, “This is a transformative project for New Milford Hospital and its community. The new emergency department will provide a front door for improved patient access, dramatically enhance patient and family experience, provide staff with the latest technology and offer greater flexibility for future growth. For the western Connecticut health network it will provide a key component of a larger integrated emergency service serving the western region of the state.  This is a much needed facility that will have a positive effect for the New Milford community.”

Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative and constructed under the expert management of O&G Industries, the Arnhold emergency department will deliver future-focused emergency medical care for the community, throughout the generations.