St. Clair Hospital 'Green' Outpatient Center to Break Ground This Summer

You've seen the tall, blue sign on Route 19 and you're wondering when, correct? This summer, St. Clair Hospital plans to break ground on a $20 million outpatient care facility.

The two-story, 40,000 square foot structure will provide for more convenient patient and physician access. According to reports, the hospital has seen a 34 percent increase in the number of patients coming from Peters. 

The building, located at 3928 Washington Road, is set to face Route 19 with a green buffer of landscaping between the road and the building—complete with 180 spaces of parking behind, creating "a more aesthetically-pleasing" look. 

Also adding to the look will be landscaping and planted islands to create a campus feel.

The first floor will house outpatient diagnostic services (medical imaging, laboratory), and plans for a women's health center and community room are also in the works.

Designed by IKM Incorporated to be fundamentally "green," the building will be situated to take advantage of sunlight during different points of the day. The extended eaves will reduce heat in the summer, while allowing passive solar heating during winter months, according to a release. HVAC systems will be high-efficiency as well. 

The building will feature a convenient drop-off area under a portico, protecting visitors from inclement weather. Designed to be "pedestrian-friendly," a "safe zone" walkway will lead from the parking lot to a lobby entrance. 

In the design plans, the building is set to be a visually-appealing asset to the neighborhood, only using quality building material, on the modestly-contemporary side with a "nod to prairie-style design." 

No mechanical equipment will be placed on the roof; it will be ground-mounted (behind acoustical screening to dampen any noise generated) behind the building in the "service" zone.

A traffic study, recently done by Wilbur Smith Associates, indicates the new facility will not have a significant impact on traffic. 

The Peters Township Planning Commission unanimously approved St. Clair Hospital's site plan May 12.