Bids for the first phases of construction on the new Allen County Hospital will be let March 22, trustees learned at their meeting Tuesday night.
Grading of the property on North Kentucky Street is to begin April 23, followed by laying of the building’s foundation and steel framing. Completion of this phase is expected by June 8.
Trustees are still without the necessary utility easements on the properties of Fountain Villa and Bob Macha.
“It’s a matter of getting the language nailed down,” between attorneys, said Alan Weber, counselor for Allen County.
Trustees discussed changing from a 600-kilowatt generator to a more powerful 800-kilowatt generator for the new hospital.
The lower-powered generator would be able to support the building and limited X-ray and diagnostic needs in case of a loss of power to the hospital. The 800-kw model would be able to support all diagnostic needs including CT scans, which health professionals deem as necessary at all times.
The more powerful machine would cost an estimated additional $64,540.
Trustees agreed to put the more powerful generator on their “wish list” if funding becomes available.
Cris Rivera, chief executive officer of the hospital, informed trustees of an opportunity to apply for a maximum $4,000 grant, which would help fund a community assessment of the health needs of Allen County.
The assessment is required for all non-profit hospitals by rules under the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Currently, the hospital is leased by the for-profit Health Corporation of America, based in Nashville, Tenn. The plan is to withdraw from HCA once the new hospital is near completion.
Rivera said she and David Toland of Thrive Allen County are working on the application for the Kansas Rural Community Health Assessment mini-grant. Submission deadline is Friday.
The process to do the study should cost in the neighborhood of $4,000, Rivera said, “so if we get the grant, which is up to $4,000, it will fund most of the project.”
IN OTHER NEWS, trustees set May 9 as a tentative date for groundbreaking of the new hospital.
Trustees re-elected their current slate of officers. Harry Lee is chairman, Karen Gilpin, vice-chairman, Debbie Roe, treasurer, and Jay Kretzmeier, secretary.
Trustees meet again March 27 in the basement of ACH. All meetings are open to the public.
