Lutheran Health Network announced Wednesday it would build an entirely new hospital in downtown Fort Wayne, to replace the long-standing St. Joseph Hospital.
The new facility will be called “Lutheran Downtown Hospital,” and will be constructed from the ground up directly across from St. Joseph Hospital on Broadway. It is expected to be larger than St. Joe, accommodating “more than” 100 beds and more specialized services.
Upon completion, the old facility -- which has stood at its current location since 1869 -- will be razed in favor of additional parking.
Lutheran Health Network regional president and CEO Mike Poore says he understands the importance of St. Joseph Hospital’s legacy in Fort Wayne, but says the building was struggling to meet modern healthcare standards.
“Healthcare was different at that time, and we need to change how healthcare is delivered today, which is more focused on outpatient but still has an inpatient aspect,” said Poore.
The price tag on the hospital is $120 million. Mayor Tom Henry says the city’s biggest commitment is public support, adding that the financial commitments will largely be covered by Lutheran and its parent company, Community Health Systems.
“Because they themselves are committing to funding the entire project, there’s very little public money involved, but there are some necessary approvals through Planning Commission, through Board of Zoning Appeals, through Utilities and the like, but those are just things that have to be in place before a new building,” Henry said.
Those approvals will likely result in construction beginning next summer. The construction timetable is 18-24 months, with projected completion set for 2021.
