Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is entering a new era of dramatic transformation and significant growth, launching a critical expansion project to build one of the nation’s leading epicenters of pediatric health care.
The endeavor will transform Children’s main campus at 84th & Dodge with the proposed construction of a new clinical facility and added administrative and research space in the buildings currently leased by HDR.
“The demand for the high-quality pediatric care we provide is growing rapidly, straining our current facilities,” said Richard G. Azizkhan, M.D., Children’s President & CEO. “We must expand — in space and scope — because children and families are counting on us to evolve and be the best now and into the future.”
“We are pleased with Children’s success and what this expansion means to be able to serve more children and families in Nebraska and the region,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Our partnership with Children’s demonstrates the effort of a great team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families.”
An exciting element of Children’s physical expansion extends across 84th Street, with the acquisition of the adjacent property currently leased by HDR and the Durham Plaza building. The 7-acre site will add 223,000 square feet of office space and more than 700 parking spaces. Purchase price for the two parcels is $33.5 million. HDR will continue to occupy the site until its move to its new headquarters.
“We capitalized on an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Dr. Azizkhan said.
With Children’s on track to employ 300 pediatric specialists by 2025, the buildings will provide essential office space for medical faculty and administrative and support staff. The space also will be utilized for research and education.
In addition, a new clinical facility under consideration could be built between the hospital and Children’s Specialty Pediatric Center, ensuring Children’s ability to meet the evolving, long-term needs of children and families for generations to come.
The planned addition could house specialized services like neonatal, critical, emergency and cardiac care, as well as pediatric surgery. The facilities would integrate architecturally so that patients and staff could move conveniently through all three spaces. The proposed construction also would include a parking garage to meet the growing parking needs of patients, families and staff.
Construction on the parking garage could begin in late 2016 with additional construction scheduled to begin in 2018.
Azi Khan