Baptist Health Jacksonville is investing $190 million to build a four-story, 123,000-square-foot emergency tower on its flagship campus, scheduled for completion in 2029. Designed by Hoefer Welker, the project faces complex challenges, as the hospital must remain fully operational during construction.
To address this, the team will take a phased approach with six to seven major stages, ensuring no loss of functional space. Erik Higgins, Senior Project Manager, compares the process to a "shell game," carefully sequencing new construction before decommissioning old areas. Additional hurdles include maintaining patient safety amidst noise, dust, and heavy equipment while navigating a site with critical infrastructure, like water and communication lines, and a construction history dating back to the 1960s.