By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – Humboldt County Memorial Hospital is getting a new emergency preparedness and response building as they push the project forward ahead of the initial plan.
Announced via release from HCMH they unveiled their plans for the new building. It will be a little over 4,000 square feet and be on the northeast corner of the HCMH campus next to the helipad.
CEO Michelle Sleiter says that this project has been in the hospitals long-term strategic planning but COVID-19 “brought it to a head sooner.” Primarily this building will be put up to respond to the emergency preparedness steps HCMH are in right now. The facility will also provide three drive-through for testing and vaccination distribution. These matters will be coordinated with public health.
When the building is not being used for COVID-19 related matters it will house HCMH’s growing ambulance fleet and first responders. The current garage is in a poor location according to Sleight in regards to foot and vehicle traffic from employees and visitors. The new facility would get the ambulances away from other vehicles that are entering the emergency room area.
HCMH’s Board of Trustees has awarded a contract for this project to Sande Construction. The contract cost is at $1,011,542. The estimate for the project was for $908,930. The hospital will be able to utilize CARES funds from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
The project is projected to be completed by June 30, 2021