A progress report on the medical center's transformational renovation project.
The historic $150 million expansion and renovation project known as Newark Strong is transforming Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI) and its neighborhood. It also represents a major investment in the medical center’s close relationship with its community.
The new main entrance on Lyons Avenue will feature a 17,000-square-foot glass-enclosed lobby. “Our main entrance used to appear fortress-like,” says Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer of NBI and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. “The new lobby is light-filled and welcoming, letting the community know that we’re here for them.” The space includes lounge chairs, bench seating and planter boxes, as well as a meeting room for community organizations.
The glass installation for the entire project will be performed by Josloff Glass, a woman-owned business in the South Ward. “We’re committed to making sure this project truly benefits the community we serve,” Terry says. The hospital will invest 30 percent of the project’s construction costs in Newark-based businesses, as well as in other minority-, female- and veteran-owned businesses.
On the Lyons Avenue side of the medical center, five pocket parks with seating and shrubbery, along with tree plantings, are being created. “We want the area to be less industrial and more community-oriented,” Terry explains. “This project is part of the greening of Newark.” Drop-off sites for Lyft, Uber or private transportation have been designated for visitor convenience.
Above, clockwise from top left: renderings of a greener streetscape and highly visible Emergency Department entrance on Lyons Avenue, the new Geriatric Unit with special design features for older adults and a separate waiting room for Pediatric Emergency patients; photo at bottom left, local dignitaries take a tour of the site.
Inside, expansion and upgrading plans are moving forward. They include:
A 4,000-square-foot Emergency Department (ED) expansion, with 10 new private exam rooms with sliding glass doors, a new waiting room and a new fast-track intake area. A new ED entrance will have a canopy and signage that can easily be seen from multiple perspectives. The Pediatrics ED will have a separate entrance and waiting area, along with new treatment rooms. The new Emergency Services Pavilion will be named for the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, which has committed $5 million toward the project.
A 24-bed Geriatric Unit with private rooms featuring nuanced design. This design includes beds that reduce the risk of pressure injuries, cushioned slip-resistant flooring, handrails in hallways and fold-down jump seats for taking a breather if needed. Common areas have vibrant colors to make wayfinding easier.
A new state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, with 13 right-sized private rooms to accommodate equipment, support staff and visitors. Each room will have a built-in desk and television and high-end pullout sleeper sofa so a loved one can spend the night. A centralized nursing station will provide a clear line of sight to patients at all times.
Other highlights include the 34- bed Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Mother-Baby Unit with private, newly renovated rooms, and new hybrid Operating Rooms to provide care for the most complex cardiac cases.
A Bridge to the Future
NBI and Turner Construction, the company that’s building the Newark Strong project, recently partnered with YouthBuild Newark to host a group of young people who are preparing for construction careers.
The daylong educational visit provided an opportunity for participants to get a firsthand view of their chosen field.
“The participants were asking amazing questions about the kind of glass being used, the sustainable features being implemented and the type of people being hired,” says Kim Cook, Director of Social Impact and Community Investment for NBI. “They really wanted to talk to the people who are doing the hands-on work.”
An academic support and career preparation program for people ages 16 to 24 who aren’t participating in school or the workforce, YouthBuild was a good fit for NBI’s commitment to social impact and community investment. Says Cook, “It was a rewarding experience for everybody involved.”
For more information and the latest updates on the expansion project, visit Newark Beth Israel Medical Center's Newark Strong page.