Joint Application Submitted to the City of Sacramento
Proposal includes improvements for both Ministries and the community
SACRAMENTO, CA - Feb. 8, 2007 - Mercy General Hospital and Sacred Heart Parish School submitted a new application today to the City of Sacramento for a smart growth, infill project. The proposal for East Sacramento, where the two ministries have resided collaboratively for more than 80 years, is in keeping with the principles of the City General Plan and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments Blueprint Plan.
This application represents a joint project of Mercy General Hospital and Sacred Heart Parish School. In addition to the hospital component, it includes a new state-of the-art school campus for Sacred Heart across 39th Street from the existing school to better serve the students and their families. Additionally, Mercy General will be building 20 new housing units, to be developed by Ravel Rasmussen Properties/Separovich Domich, strategically located to provide land uses compatible with the existing residential and commercial properties surrounding the campuses.
"While the ability to strengthen the clinical setting for our outstanding heart program has always been my priority, I am pleased with the evolution of this project as I believe focused collaboration, feedback and dialogue have resulted in a better plan for our future and the future of our neighborhood," said Denny Powell, Hospital President.
Recently named one of the top 100 hospitals for cardiovascular care in the nation, the project will enable Mercy to continue its long-standing tradition of excellence in healthcare for the community while adapting to the needs of the evolving medical landscape. Proposed changes include construction of a new structure, removal of several structures, expansion of parking capacity and focused traffic management plans.
Key elements of the hospital portion of this project, estimated to cost $153 million, include:
- Improved access to a nationally recognized cardiovascular program
- Ensuring long-term access to vital community hospital services
- Construction of a new four-story Heart Center/Replacement Building (123,350 sq. ft.), which will be home to the Alex G. Spanos Heart Center, to be located in the middle of the existing campus
- Removal of the East Wing building (reducing the existing campus size by 50,928 sq. ft. after the Heart Center/Replacement building is fully occupied)
- Scheduled operation of the South Wing past 2013
- Relocation of the hospital's existing Chapel to provide for a new, centrally located Chapel allowing for better access for patients and family members
- Creation of a Healing Garden
- Commitment to a defined hospital campus boundary
- No expansion of the current H Street parking structure Implementation of a comprehensive traffic management plan to reduce employee and patient trips to the hospital campus, including off-site parking for employees and a free shuttle to light rail
Following completion of the project, the buildings used for hospital services will increase by 69,046 square feet, but due to current architectural standards that dictate much larger spaces for patient care delivery, the project will actually result in 27 fewer beds in operation at the hospital than are currently on site.
After today's filing, the Environmental Impact Report process begins. Public opportunities for input will continue throughout the City's process.
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Mercy General Hospital has been serving the Sacramento community for more than 100 years. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy General has been at its current site in the heart of East Sacramento since 1925. Mercy General Hospital has 342 licensed beds, a physician staff of more than 700 and delivers 2,600 babies annually. Mercy General is one of six Sacramento area hospitals that are part of Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), a system of 42 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada and the nation’s eighth largest healthcare system.
Sacred Heart Parish School is one of 56 Catholic elementary schools in the diocese of Sacramento. It is owned and operated by Sacred Heart Parish and is governed by the pastor and principal, who are advised by the nine-member School Board. It is fully accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is staffed by a lay faculty of experienced educators. Sacred Heart Parish School has a commitment to quality education, a sense of community and a commitment to the development of strong Christian values.
