Fayetteville's Washington Regional Medical Center Hopes To Increase Women's Services, Build Parking Deck

An expansion at Washington Regional Medical Center would add about 105,000 square feet and 125 workers to the Fayetteville hospital, according to hospital administrators.

The $55 million project would expand obstetrics and gynecology services and build a 360-space parking garage west of the hospital, according to Bill Bradley, president and chief executive officer. The project is needed to accommodate growth, Bradley said.

"Expanding and enhancing our commitment to women's services will ensure ample access to care and will offer greater convenience for families throughout Northwest Arkansas," he stated in an email.

Project plans include additional operating room space, a larger neonatal intensive care unit, patients rooms for increasing volumes of births and more clinic space.

Work is scheduled to begin about Feb. 1 and be completed by fall 2016.

Bradley said the hospital will use bonds and cash to finance the project. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority scheduled a public hearing on the expansion plans at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22 at the hospital.

Hospital administrators hope to secure $139 million in bonds to pay for the improvement and refinance bonds issued in 2005 that paid to expand the emergency department and add a fifth floor to the building, among other projects.

Derrick Rose, Arkansas Development Finance Authority public information officer, said the hearing is required because the hospital is seeking tax-exempt bonds.

"For legal reasons, we have to give people an opportunity to say their part for or against a project," he said, adding he hasn't heard any negative comments about Washington Regional's proposal. "These types of projects tend to be very popular."

Steve Clark, president and chief executive officer of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, said the hospital is key to business growth.

The chamber and businesses kicked off a campaign this summer to brand the section of Fayetteville that encompasses the hospital. Midtown Fayetteville includes about 2 square miles surrounded by North Street, College Avenue, Millsap Road and Gregg Avenue.

"The hospital has more than 2,000 employees, and they need to have a place to go have lunch, grab a cup of coffee or get their oil changed," he said. "Adding 125 jobs is a real positive to Fayetteville."

Clark said patients' visitors also use the more than 600 businesses operating in midtown.

"The midtown project is going, but we have more to do," he said.

Trail connections and sidewalks are among midtown's biggest issues, Clark said. The city is building about 6 miles of sidewalks each year, which helps, he said.

"We are working on trails and crossings. Midtown is a long and narrow section of town," Clark said. "The midtown project is helping us refocus on the area."