The University Medical Center at Princeton (UMCP) plans to build replacement facilities or relocate from its location on Witherspoon Street because of spatial constraints.
The current building and the services provided within need to be expanded and updated to meet today's health care demands, Princeton Health Center President and CEO Barry Rabner said.
"The projections of the growth of the population in the areas we serve show a significant growth," Rabner said. "And the age is increasing, particularly in the Princeton area."
Rabner said it was important to address that increased demand.
"In less than 10 years our facility will be maxed out in its ability to change technology," Rabner said.
The hospital would need to build more single patient rooms to adjust to the new care delivery requirements.
Around the country, about 800 hospitals currently under construction are incorporating similar rooms in their designs.
"They improve patient privacy and help control infection of disease," Rabner said.
Expansion would also allow the hospital to introduce new programs and services.
If UMCP grew at its existing site, the hospital would have to construct a 13-story patient tower and add about 800 new parking spaces. It would need "enough acreage so we'll be able to expand to the needs of care 20 years from now," Rabner said.
Planners are also considering constructing a new facility at a site less than 15 minutes away.
"We want to stay as close to the current site as we can," Rabner said. The hospital is considering 14 locations which meet that requirement.
The hospital administration has discussed the possible expansion plans with the public through a series of more than 50 presentations. They've also met with the mayors of communities to understand neighboring communities' needs, Rabner explained.
Rabner said the communities expressed concerns about the traffic around the current hospital location.
"[Community members] also want to make sure that we continue to grow and remain state of the art," Rabner said. "For the most part there seems to be support for relocating."
Though the hospital has not met with University students, Rabner discussed the issue with University officials.
"It appeared to me that they valued having the hospital remain as close to the University as possible," he said.
With the help of the community's input, the hospital's board of trustees hopes to decide on a course of action early next year, Rabner said.
Read More
PSafe increases patrols after Brown and Sydney attacks, says no threat to Princeton
Hayk YengibaryanThe email from campus officials follows a mass shooting at Brown University that took the lives of two students and injured nine others and a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.
The email from campus officials follows a mass shooting at Brown University that took the lives of two students and injured nine others and a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.
Dean of Graduate School hosts TigerSide Chat to celebrate 125th anniversary
Ambre Van de VeldePriestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
Priestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
‘I thought someone was playing a prank on me’: Princeton releases early action decisions for the Class of 2030
Hayk Yengibaryan and Benedict HooperConsistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).
Consistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).