MONROE - The planning behind Monroe Clinic's new 210,000-square-foot facility, opening in the fall of 2011, includes more than just modernized patient rooms and centralized physician services.
Underlying the move to improving the patient's experience was a decision to focus on environmental responsibility both during and after construction, according to Monroe Clinic officials.
Monroe Clinic will be using Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) principles, and will attain a silver certificate rating with its design.
The addition is expected to cost about $85 million.
With only $20 million in cash reserved through its long-range financial plans, Monroe Clinic is planning to finance the remaining $65 million with tax-exempt bonds.
The only financial delay that could come is if the bond market tightens again, Monroe Clinic CFO Julie Wilke said.
"The bond market froze up last fall, but has started to loosen up a bit," she said.
The addition is considered to be a 25- to 30-year investment, adding 4 to 5 percent to the operating costs from depreciation and interest, Wilke added.
However, patients should not expect to see an increase in costs for services.
"It's not really passed down," Wilke said.
The Clinic's payments are determined by public programs and terms set in the managed care contracts.
The Clinic, a not-for-profit organization sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, gets 55 to 60 percent of its funding from Medicare and from Wisconsin and Illinois public aid.
In adhering to LEED guidelines, "green" roofs and less asphalt are incorporated into the design to reduce stormwater runoff. Two garden roofs, one located off the new chapel, also will help control heat buildup and provide exceptional views from patient rooms and the new top-floor cafeteria.
Vegetation chosen for landscaping around the buildings and parking lots require no irrigation. Landscaping will feature natural habitat and native plant species, and will include informal natural settings as well as formal garden spots close to the building. Some of the trees will be transplanted and others added.
Inside, a large amount of energy-efficient glass is being used, allowing natural sunlight to stream in.
Various types of architecture found around Monroe was researched and is being used in the building's decor.
High efficiency heating and cooling units will use about 15 to 20 percent less energy than building codes require, and up to 30 percent less than is currently being used.
Softwater production is done using a brine reclamation system, saving 20,000 pounds of salt and 50,000 gallon of water annually, according to the clinic.
Carpet in the facility will be made from recycled plastics, and cleaning staff already are using "green," non-corrosive products.
During construction, about 75 percent of the wastes will be recycled. Bricks and foundation materials have already been used for the expanded staff parking lot, creating a 65 percent recycling rate.
Most of the construction will be taking place off of 4th Street. Patients and visitors will find the regular parking lots available, except on the north side of the clinic, and can use the same entrances for about four to five months once construction begins.
The major part of construction will then begin and last about 18 to 21 months. During that time, parking will be available again on the north and east side of the clinic, and west of the hospital.
Preliminary planning began back in 2006 with an anticipated construction start in early 2008.
The project underwent several changes, since it was first dreamed of as a 62,000-square-feet addition located on the west side between the hospital and clinic at a cost of $50 million to $60 million.
Part of the older sections of the hospital, built in 1939 and first expanded in 1951, will eventually be taken down sometime after 2012. Non-patient connected services, behavioral health, and the lab are a few of the departments that will remain in the original hospital.
Underlying the move to improving the patient's experience was a decision to focus on environmental responsibility both during and after construction, according to Monroe Clinic officials.
Monroe Clinic will be using Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) principles, and will attain a silver certificate rating with its design.
The addition is expected to cost about $85 million.
With only $20 million in cash reserved through its long-range financial plans, Monroe Clinic is planning to finance the remaining $65 million with tax-exempt bonds.
The only financial delay that could come is if the bond market tightens again, Monroe Clinic CFO Julie Wilke said.
"The bond market froze up last fall, but has started to loosen up a bit," she said.
The addition is considered to be a 25- to 30-year investment, adding 4 to 5 percent to the operating costs from depreciation and interest, Wilke added.
However, patients should not expect to see an increase in costs for services.
"It's not really passed down," Wilke said.
The Clinic's payments are determined by public programs and terms set in the managed care contracts.
The Clinic, a not-for-profit organization sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, gets 55 to 60 percent of its funding from Medicare and from Wisconsin and Illinois public aid.
In adhering to LEED guidelines, "green" roofs and less asphalt are incorporated into the design to reduce stormwater runoff. Two garden roofs, one located off the new chapel, also will help control heat buildup and provide exceptional views from patient rooms and the new top-floor cafeteria.
Vegetation chosen for landscaping around the buildings and parking lots require no irrigation. Landscaping will feature natural habitat and native plant species, and will include informal natural settings as well as formal garden spots close to the building. Some of the trees will be transplanted and others added.
Inside, a large amount of energy-efficient glass is being used, allowing natural sunlight to stream in.
Various types of architecture found around Monroe was researched and is being used in the building's decor.
High efficiency heating and cooling units will use about 15 to 20 percent less energy than building codes require, and up to 30 percent less than is currently being used.
Softwater production is done using a brine reclamation system, saving 20,000 pounds of salt and 50,000 gallon of water annually, according to the clinic.
Carpet in the facility will be made from recycled plastics, and cleaning staff already are using "green," non-corrosive products.
During construction, about 75 percent of the wastes will be recycled. Bricks and foundation materials have already been used for the expanded staff parking lot, creating a 65 percent recycling rate.
Most of the construction will be taking place off of 4th Street. Patients and visitors will find the regular parking lots available, except on the north side of the clinic, and can use the same entrances for about four to five months once construction begins.
The major part of construction will then begin and last about 18 to 21 months. During that time, parking will be available again on the north and east side of the clinic, and west of the hospital.
Preliminary planning began back in 2006 with an anticipated construction start in early 2008.
The project underwent several changes, since it was first dreamed of as a 62,000-square-feet addition located on the west side between the hospital and clinic at a cost of $50 million to $60 million.
Part of the older sections of the hospital, built in 1939 and first expanded in 1951, will eventually be taken down sometime after 2012. Non-patient connected services, behavioral health, and the lab are a few of the departments that will remain in the original hospital.