Story by: Kate Eller on October 18, 2023
Today, Norton Healthcare recognized the hard work of the Norton West Louisville Hospital construction and design team as it celebrated the completion of steel installation at the site. This is a significant milestone in building the first hospital west of Ninth Street in more than 150 years. It also marks the beginning of the next phase of development that includes the start of the interior structure, roofing and exterior construction.
“This ceremony marks a major milestone for the health of our community as we work to expand access to health care for families who live and work in West Louisville,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “In addition to the vital health care services that will be provided here, this project has also brought many jobs to the community, and more opportunities will be available next spring as the hospital gets closer to opening.”
More than 200 construction team members have already been a part of the build at 28th Street and Broadway in the Parkland neighborhood of West Louisville to make sure even more people have care close to home.
“Health care is a basic human right, and every Kentuckian deserves access close to home,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “Thank you to Norton Healthcare for taking this major step and working as quickly as possible to bring West Louisville its first hospital in more than 150 years. This milestone gets us one step closer to the better Kentucky we all want: where none of our kids and grandkids have to leave home, because they have all the resources and opportunities they need right here.”
Norton West Louisville Hospital is being built on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus. The campus was formed in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky to bring wraparound services and health care to a single location. Goodwill’s Opportunity Center will be part of the campus and will serve as its headquarters. The center also will provide social services with various community partners. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stressed the importance of collaborations like this at the event, saying partnerships are one way the city will continue to grow and prosper.
“Twenty-eighth Street and Broadway is being revitalized into a corner of hope,” Greenberg said. “The development citizens can now see at this intersection was created from a collaborative effort by two organizations looking for new ways to serve the community. When we come together through innovative approaches, unlimited possibilities are created for our city. This is an exciting day not only for Norton Healthcare but our entire community.”
Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer, Norton West Louisville Hospital, shared the vision of the hospital and what services will be available to start, including a 24/7 emergency department; inpatient treatment; operating rooms; imaging services, including X-ray, CT and MRI; and a retail pharmacy. Outpatient office space will include adult and pediatric primary care; women’s services, including obstetrics and gynecology; cardiology; orthopedics; diabetes care; behavioral health services; and more.
Based on community feedback, Norton West Louisville Hospital also will have a centralized check-in area, community room, outdoor green space and a food pantry. In addition, work from local artists will be featured in the facility.
Sonya Walton, vice president, economic inclusion, representing Harmon/Messer Construction Co., shared her appreciation for the construction team.
This week is recognized as Construction Inclusion Week, and Oct. 18 is Supplier Diversity Day. She discussed how the project is creating ongoing opportunities for women and minorities in the community to enter the construction workforce and start sustainable careers. This is achieved through the KentuckianaBuilds program, led by Louisville Urban League and KentuckianaWorks, and Harmon/Messer Construction’s Urban Workforce Development Initiative, otherwise known as UWDI (pronounced ooo-dee), which provides job training, assistance with social services and placement in full-time jobs.
Anthony L. Mathis, system director, sustainability and supplier diversity, Norton Healthcare, talked about the new approach to this construction project and how it has brought so many together. He recognized and honored Jessica Barr, a longtime Norton Healthcare construction team member who passed away in August after battling breast cancer. Jessica was instrumental in helping the construction team reach this point in the project. Her family also believed in the vision for this hospital and what it would mean to the community.
At the conclusion of the 10 a.m. ceremony, those in attendance watched the installation of the final beam.
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