On April 7, 2014, Rebecca Lewis and John Geisler of DSGW architects visited the Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center to gather information for a proposed $20 million remodel and renovation of the 16-bed critical access hospital and 37-bed skilled nursing center.
The two met with department heads, employees and the hospital board to get their input about what needs to be changed and suggestions that can be implemented to make facility improvements to departments, patient rooms, waiting areas, and even the entry points to both facilities.
Hospital/Care Center Administrator Kimber Wraalstad said committees would be formed within the next several months to assist with the planning. Committee members will be sought from hospital and care center employees, medical staff, the hospital board, and from the public, said Wraalstad.
Tentative plans call for hiring a project manager or general contractor by June 30, 2014, and within 2014 completing site and rock survey work, developing a schematic design, establishing a final project budget, and completing the design development. Wraalstad also said that by the end of the year the design review with the Minnesota Department of Health and other required agencies should be finished.
Bids for the work will be let in early January 2015, with a contractor selected by February 28, 2015. It is hoped that ground will be broken on or about April 30, 2015.
The public will be kept abreast of developments as they occur, and public meetings and tours will be provided in the future, said Wraalstad.
Funds to pay for the improvements are being sought from a variety of sources, but other than the current $800,000 annual levy, none of the money will come from county residents in the form or more taxes or increased levy, said Wraalstad.
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