Skanska, a Sweden-based developer and contractor, has secured a $435 million contract to build a new hospital and medical office building for Lee Health, the company announced on October 29. 

Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the project will involve the construction of a 416,000-square-foot, five-story hospital and a 125,000-square-foot medical office building, which will include an ambulatory surgery center. 

The scope of work also includes a central energy plant, a rehabilitation gym, and specialty clinics. In total, the healthcare campus will span 560,000 square feet, offering a wide range of medical services. Both the hospital and medical office building will be equipped with 10 operating rooms, up to 168 patient rooms, and 44 emergency department beds, according to Lee Health spokesperson Jaclyn Bevis. 

Utility work has already commenced, with the project slated for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027. The contract will be added to Skanska’s Q4 2024 order bookings. 

The Lee County Public Hospital Board approved a maximum budget of $434,750,596 for the project on October 24, though this figure may change following a vote in January. The new hospital will replace the aging Lee Memorial Hospital, which has 414 beds and is expected to remain operational until 2027. It’s still unclear how many of the 1,600 staff members at Lee Memorial will transition to the new facility or other Lee Health locations. 

The Local Impact of New Lee Health Hospital

The new Lee Health Fort Myers hospital will have a significant impact on existing healthcare services in Fort Myers: 

Replacement of Lee Memorial Hospital 

The new facility will replace the aging Lee Memorial Hospital, which has been a cornerstone of the Fort Myers community for over a century. 

Key points include: 

  • Lee Memorial Hospital is scheduled to close in 2027, coinciding with the opening of the new Lee Health Fort Myers facility 
  • The new hospital will be more modern and technologically advanced compared to Lee Memorial. 

Capacity Changes 

There will be a reduction in overall bed capacity: 

  • The new Lee Health Fort Myers is planned to have up to 168 patient rooms in its first phase. 

This represents a significant decrease in inpatient capacity, though the reasons for this reduction are not explicitly stated in the search results. 

Advanced Facilities and Services 

The new hospital will offer several enhancements: 

  • A cutting-edge orthopedic hospital and outpatient facility 
  • Advanced technology in patient rooms 
  • A comprehensive musculoskeletal institute, employing an interdisciplinary approach to muscle, tendon, and joint care 
  • 10 operating rooms and a 44-bed emergency department 
  • Specialized clinics for orthopedics, spine care, rheumatology, complex care, and infectious diseases 

Improved Emergency Preparedness 

The new facility is designed with enhanced safety features: 

  • It will be built 23.5 feet above sea level 
  • Designed to withstand 174-mile-per-hour winds 
  • Equipped with 100% power backup and critical infrastructure for continued operation during emergencies 

Economic Impact 

The new hospital project is expected to have a positive economic effect on the area: 

  • Creation of over 6,000 new jobs over the next five years 
  • Generation of nearly $500 million in earnings and $1.3 billion in sales within Lee County 

Competition and Healthcare Landscape 

The new facility is part of Lee Health’s strategy to remain competitive in a changing healthcare market: 

  • It’s partly in response to competition from HCA Healthcare, which plans to build a 100-bed hospital in the area 
  • The project is aligned with Lee Health’s potential transition from a public hospital system to a private nonprofit organization, which could enhance its competitive edge. 

Final Thoughts 

While the new Lee Health Fort Myers hospital will offer more advanced and specialized services, it will have a smaller inpatient capacity compared to the current Lee Memorial Hospital. This shift suggests a focus on outpatient care and specialized services, which could significantly alter the healthcare landscape in Fort Myers. 

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