Altru Health officials have confirmed an October date for restarting construction on the stalled Grand Forks hospital project. The size and scope of the new building has changed over time but will return to a seven story structure and cost around $380 million dollars.
Altru President Dr. Steven Weiser updated the city council on the plans this week as part of a revenue bond ask for funding – as well as to refinance existing loans and debt. “We will have capacity to license up to 226 beds and have a 16 bed observation unit off the emergency room.”
Weiser says Altru was forced to paused construction during the COVID pandemic – with 18% of the structure completed. “Things aren’t moving fast enough for our citizens and they want to see dirt moving. We are also working with the state on final designs. We’ve implemented some change related to COVID conditions to create a future proof facility for the next 30-50 years.”
Weiser says the outside shell of the new hospital will take about 9-12 months to complete and then work will move to the interior levels. The new hospital is set to open in 2024. The existing hospital will then be razed.
Altru is seeking $530 million dollars in tax exempt bonds. Of that amount $170 million would refinance existing debt at lower interest rates. The city has scheduled an August 16th public hearing on the bond request.
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