Mayor Muriel Bowser, Universal Health Services (UHS), George Washington University and Children’s National Hospital broke ground yesterday on the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health in Ward 8 on the St. Elizabeths East Campus.
“This is the start of a new chapter for health care in Washington, DC, especially for our neighborhoods east of the river,” said Mayor Bowser. “And I hope the message we’re sending is loud and clear: While D.C. government is rightfully getting out of the business of running a hospital, we are fully present at St. Elizabeths East and fully committed to all the Washingtonians who will come to the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health to get world-class care.”
Made possible through a public-private partnership between the Government of the District of Columbia and UHS, the $375 million project includes a 136-bed, 285,000-sq.-ft. full-service hospital, a 77,000-sq.-ft. ambulatory pavilion for physician offices, clinics and community space, a 500-car parking garage and a helipad for emergency transports.
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health will be the first inpatient facility to be built in the District in more than 20 years. The project is being designed by HOK and McKissack & McKissack and built by Turner Construction Company and MCN Build.
Services at the medical center will include newborn delivery and a neonatal intensive care unit, academic medicine and pediatric care, women’s health services, adult and children emergency departments, a certified trauma center, behavioral and mental health, specialty care and outpatient services.
“The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health at St. Elizabeths East is a groundbreaking project that will have a lasting impact on our community and the city,” said Mitchell Collin, regional leader of Healthcare for HOK. “The design and services offered will improve health outcomes, mitigate disparities and provide residents access to much-needed health services that are transformative for residents in Wards 7 and 8.”
The new medical center and urgent care facilities will establish a robust system of care for all District residents, especially in communities east of the Anacostia River. These health assets and investments will aim to change the trajectory of the District’s communities of color, whose health outcomes are consistently lower. A resident born in Ward 8 has a life expectancy that is 15 years less than a resident born in Ward 3.
The plan integrates the hospital into the 10-acre campus with welcoming plazas, outdoor spaces for rest and retreat, and generous green space. Materials including the classic red-brick facade take cues from historic campus buildings. Large expanses of glass will draw light into the space to promote healing while connecting patients, staff and visitors to their surroundings.
Assuring access to care, especially in underserved communities, takes more than providing adequate medical facilities. Architecture and design can help caregivers and service professionals engage everyone in the community and put them on the path to wellness,” McKissack & McKissack CEO Deryl McKissack said. “Every aspect of this project has been designed to elevate care for some of the most vulnerable communities in the district, mostly Black and Brown people who have suffered disparities disproportionate to the larger population.”
The project is part of a larger campus redevelopment plan and is designed to accommodate future growth. An expansive community engagement process will ensure the design reflects and supports the community. The project design and community engagement strategies will ensure the hospital is a good neighbor and a driving force for population health.
“The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center will have a broad reach and positive impact on the District’s businesses and residents. Local businesses will have the opportunity to build capacity with the significant revenue from the construction and local residents will have tremendous opportunities to work on a marquee project that will benefit their own community,” said Darien C. Grant, vice president and general manager for Turner Construction Company – Mid-Atlantic. “Most importantly, these residents will have access to healthcare that will improve the quality of their lives. On behalf of the Turner-MCN Joint Venture, we are proud to be the construction manager.”
Nearly $100 million will be spent with District Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) during construction. The project will support nearly 2,000 jobs and create at least 50 apprenticeships, with more than 300 workers on-site daily at the peak of construction.
“The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health at St. Elizabeths East will significantly advance healthcare access for the Ward 7 and 8 communities,” said Rudy Seikaly, CEO of MCN Build. “We are excited to be a part of this landmark project that will not only enhance healthcare equity in the District but also support the District’s Certified Business Enterprises and create careers for residents.”
The Washington-based team includes nationally recognized firms with local offices, including WSP as the MEP engineer, Delon Hampton & Associates, Chartered as the civil engineer and Walter P Moore as the structural engineer. To support Washington businesses, more than 40 percent of the design and engineering team will be made up of local CBEs. The design and construction team pairs a majority firm with a minority firm for every discipline. This strategy aims to give area MWBEs meaningful experience in the healthcare sector to pursue future work in the District.
“WSP is proud to partner in creating quality and equitable healthcare services for the families of Wards 7and 8. My colleagues and I are inspired with a sense of purpose to connect our most vulnerable neighbors with quality healthcare at the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center,” said Gary M. Hamilton, senior vice president and East Coast healthcare leader at WSP. “We deeply appreciate our partnership with HOK and McKissack & McKissack on a holistic design that will enhance the quality of life in these communities.”
The project is expected to open in December 2024.