Memorial Main Patient Tower Expansion Construction Launch

February 10, 2014 GULFPORT, Miss. — Memorial Hospital at Gulfport held the Main Patient Tower Expansion Construction launch and tours of new model rooms on Monday, February 10, 2014. The Main Patient Tower Expansion will add two new floors and larger, modern patient rooms. The new modern rooms will be nearly 50% larger than current patient rooms, and will provide flexibility for critical care use to address future health care needs. Gary G. Marchand, Memorial President/CEO, described how the expansion would greatly enhance patient care with more room for equipment, technology and more space for families. Marvin Smith, Chairman, Memorial Board of Trustees and Billy Hewes, Mayor of Gulfport also spoke at the event. This project is a major capital investment – over $50 million – in Memorial Hospital infrastructure. Twenty construction bid packages have been awarded to date, totaling $26 million. Fifteen of the bid package recipients are Mississippi state firms – of which, 11 are firms from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. To date, $23 million in bids have been awarded to Mississippi state firms-of which, $19 million has been awarded to Mississippi Gulf Coast firms. Architect for the project is Blitch Knevel and contract manager is Roy Anderson Corp. At the peak of construction, more than 150 workers will be on-site for the project. Major construction began January 2014. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2017.