State Approves Children’s Hospital Request to Expand

BIRMINGHAM:  The State Health Planning and Development agency approved Children’s Hospital’s expansion plan.  The hospital’s plan calls for 57 more beds as part of a 700,000 square foot, $480 million project. 

Currently, the hospital holds 275 beds.

Last January, the hospital’s board of trustees approved the planning of the expansion.  A hospital spokesperson says the expansion will help relieve overcrowding, and help accommodate projected increases in patients. 

Construction on the downtown project is expected to begin early next year, with a targeted opening date of 2012.