Emory Report

December 6, 1999

Volume 52, No. 14

Crawford Long set to move ahead with redevelopment Crawford Long Hospital announced last week that the Georgia Department of Community Health has approved Certificates of Need (CONs) for both the 500,000-square-foot diagnostic and treatment facility and the 400,000-square-foot medical office building that lie at the heart of the hospital's redevelopment. The state must issue a CON before any medical facility is built or changed substantially, and Crawford Long's application was submitted last April. The CON approval is the green light for beginning the redevelopment project announced earlier this year. "This [CON approval] means that we can proceed with our plans to design and build a hospital to meet the health care needs of our community well into the next century," said John Henry, chief executive officer of Emory Hospitals. "Since 1908 Crawford Long Hospital has been integral to the growth of Atlanta, from caring for the everyday health of our community and our tiniest citizens in our Level III NICU, to caring for those who need advanced clinical research protocols," Henry said. One of the largest hospital construction projects ever in Georgia, Crawford Long's new design will provide flexible space for staff and physicians, a more friendly pedestrian interface with neighbors and enhanced convenience for patients. "This initiative will create a premier medical facility that will set a new standard for health care delivery in Atlanta for the 21st century," said Henry. "The cornerstones for the project are convenience for patients, doctors and staff, continued clinical excellence and enhanced community development." While the inpatient rooms (except for labor and delivery) will remain in the Peachtree building, the remainder of the outpatient diagnostics and testing areas, along with the labor and delivery suites, will be part of the new construction. The medical office building is scheduled to open in March 2002, and the diagnostic and treatment facility is scheduled to open in August 2002. Key to the success of the Crawford Long redevelopment project is the partnership of developer Cousins Properties and architect HKS of Dallas. As Atlanta's premier developer and an emerging powerhouse in the development of health care facilities, Cousins Properties has joined forces with Crawford Long to reconfigure the aging campus and ensure a new design that will meet future generations' needs. "HKS was selected because we think they are virtually the best partner for this project and they have more experience than anyone else in designing health care facilities, having designed more than 500 across the country," Henry said. "HKS architects and designers from HKS Designcare are working with staff and physicians to design the most comfortable, inviting environment for patients and families." -Debra Bloom Return to December 6, 1999 contents page