The state Department of Health has approved the certificate of need for Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie to construct its new patient pavilion.
VBMC is Health Quest’s flagship healthcare facility.
The 696,000 square foot, seven story building will feature 264 private medical/surgical patient rooms and 30 critical care rooms. It will also include an emergency department/trauma center with 66 treatment rooms, parking for ambulances and the public, new operating rooms, a cafeteria, and conference center.
The new building will connect to the existing facility, parts of which are 128 years old and the future of the old building has yet to be determined, said hospital spokesman Tim Massie.
“Some areas may be taken down, others may be repurposed, others may be used for mental health depending upon how things are going in the county since there is a shortage of mental health facilities,” Masse said. “We could also be moving some of our offices to that location.”
An estimated 300 to 400 construction jobs will be created at the peak of the project.
The $466 million comes from private hospital funds and hospital bonds.
Groundbreaking should btake place next July with the facility open to serve the community in January 2019.
