Phase I of Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center’s $171 million renovation and expansion project is nearing completion, as the hospital prepares to begin the construction process for its new patient tower, according to a press release from the hospital.
Phase I is scheduled for completion this spring and includes the expansion of a new patient unit on an existing hospital tower, Prince Tower Two, is located near the corner of Prince and King avenues.
The entire project, will include the renovation of approximately 262,436 square feet of existing space and the replacement of approximately 228,691 square feet of space, is expected to be completed by 2022.
Once Phase I is complete, the construction team will begin work on replacing the hospital’s 1919 Tower, which is located on Talmadge Drive.
“Our new patient tower will replace old patient areas in our hospital and provide state-of-the-art equipment that will ultimately provide a better experience for our patients and better serve our community,” Diane Todd, executive director of operations at Piedmont Athens Regional, said in the release.
When complete, the tower will be six stories with a basement level.
“Piedmont Athens Regional is focused on developing a hospital that provides the best care and experience for our patients and visitors, as well as the best working environment for our providers and staff, and this new tower helps us achieve this,” Todd said in the release. ”It will also improve both vehicle and pedestrian circulation around the campus and simplify patient arrival, wayfinding and access, with a main objective of improving delivery of patient care and operational efficiency.”
Aside from new patient and staff areas, the new tower will also include a retail pharmacy, café and resource center for patients and visitors.
Piedmont Athens Regional also plans to continue to work closely with Athens-Clarke County officials and DPR Construction to minimize impact on the neighborhood and community.
For more information and updates about Piedmont Athens Regional’s renovation and expansion project, visit piedmont.org/locations/piedmont-athens/construction-update.
