Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) has selected FKP Architects of Houston and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects of Fayetteville and Little Rock to help develop its vision of a new campus in Northwest Arkansas.
The decision is the first step in a wide-ranging plan to develop a statewide network of care that will allow ACH to champion children by making them better today and healthier tomorrow.
The decision follows the Aug. 7 announcement which ACH President and CEO Marcy Doderer shared plans for blanketing the state with services designed to improve access to pediatric care and improve the health of children throughout the state. The project represents an estimated investment of $184 million over the next five years.
“We’re in the ‘planning to plan’ phase of our work,” said Dr. Robert Steele, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for ACH. “With FKP and Polk Stanley Wilcox, we have excellent national and local vision for architectural and engineering design and planning.”
Steele said the ultimate scope and success of the project will depend greatly on generous individuals, corporations and foundations supporting the construction effort.
David and Cathy George Evans, Gary and Robin George and their families made a gift of 37 acres of land, which will serve as a foundation for the campus. The land is located on I-49 in Springdale between Don Tyson Parkway and Highwat 412, bordered by S. 56th Street and Watkins Avenue just across the street from Arvest Ballpark.
“ACH is actively recruiting an administrative leader to oversee key leadership positions and the on-site construction of the new campus,” Steele said.
The hospital plans to break ground on the new facility in this next spring. The proposed 225,000-square-foot facility will include:
· 24 inpatient beds
· Emergency Department/Urgent Care Center with 21 exam rooms
· 30 clinic exam rooms
· Five operating rooms
· Imaging capabilities
· Diagnostic services including neurophysiology, audiology, rehabilitation
· Helipad with refueling station