Construction Update

UPDATED 8/16/10

UPDATED 5/11/10

UPDATED 4/22/10

UPDATED 3/23/10

UPDATED 3/09/10

UPDATED 2/15/10

Progress continues as the work on construction of the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital continues. The entire foot print of the north addition can now be visualized. The masonry work by J.P. Cullen & Sons out of Janesville WI has begun. The pictures below show the construction of the new elevator vault - a three story structure that will eventually provide access to the second floor and the on - roof heliport. The platform around the cinder block is actually the scaffolding the workers stand on to complete their work. The platform moves hydraulically upward as the structure rises. The platform will be removed when the structure is finished and will then be relocated to complete the west and east stairwells in a similar fashion. These three block structures will serve as "corner stones" for the steel framing that will be erected over the course of the next 12 weeks.

SEE PHOTOS BELOW

GMH Board Announces Direction for Building Plan (originally published FALL 2009)

The GMH Board announces the decision to proceed with new construction for the proposed building project. The announcement comes after a several month analysis of the related risks, benefits and financial feasibility related to the project. The design, developed by InVision Architecture, Ltd. of Waterloo, IA, involves construction of a new 55,400 square foot two story building just to the north of the existing facilities which will accommodate most Hospital operations.

The Project will be attached to, and will retain, the existing 1995 building which houses the current clinic space for Family Medicine Associates, P.C. and specialty medical clinics on the first floor and rehabilitation services, the Fitness Center and Administrative offices on the second floor. The plan also calls for demolition of the original 1959 building and the addition that was added in 1976 in order to accommodate a new main entrance that will face southwest as well as new expanded parking lots and street design surrounding the campus.

Some of the highlights of the project include:

Expanded, state-of-the-art surgery suite with 2 Operating Rooms, Recovery Room and private same-day surgery rooms on the second floor. A second floor location for surgery coordinates nicely with the patient care unit and labor and delivery obstetrical area.
Expanded Emergency Department with 5 exam rooms inclusive of a two bed trauma bay, private support space for family waiting and a chapel meditation room
Roof-top heliport
Private patient rooms throughout the entire facility
New education center and meeting room
New surgery clinic space to support Dr. Hugo and staff on first floor
New OB Suites and Nursery
Radiology Suite - inside access route for mobile services
Laboratory with private, enlarged drawing rooms
New support service areas including kitchen, dining, housekeeping, laundry and plant operation center
New, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient utility systems
Increased patient privacy

The hospital plans to finance the project by issuing revenue bonds. Because of the Municipal status of the hospital and the relationship to the city, financing for the project needs to be sanctioned and endorsed by the city, although the city and the citizens of Guttenberg will not be responsible for any debt repayment. The construction cost for the new facility will be just over $12 million dollars. The total plan includes the refinancing of current hospital debt, construction fees and capital equipment that will call for bond revenue financing not to exceed $17 million.

GMH is licensed as a Critical Access Hospital eligible to operate 25 beds. The hospital's primary service area consists of the southeastern two thirds of Clayton County, northern Delaware County, and northwestern Dubuque County. The hospital's service area extends farther to the north and west with regard to obstetrics since it is the only hospital in the County which offers such services.

GMH has a management agreement with The Finley Hospital in Dubuque and is affiliated with Iowa Health System as a member of the Iowa Health System Community Network.

These relationships date back to 1998, and the Board plans to continue these successful affiliations.

GMH received Joint Commission Accreditation this summer and plans to participate in the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence process this fall.

GMH has experienced consistent growth over the past 8 years due mainly to excellent Medical Staff and employee performance. The addition of a strong surgical program and expanded programming and staffing coverage in the Emergency/Trauma department has positioned the hospital to confidently and seriously consider the facility replacement project.

GMH directly employs 110 people including 10 full time positions added this past year. Employee tenure averages eight years. A 2008 Economic Impact Study completed by the Iowa Hospital Association reported that beyond the direct employment, these hospital jobs fuel the local economy by stimulating a total of 161 jobs within our communities.

The hospital's presence in the County stimulates $4.8 million in total economic impact, and $870,088 in taxable retail sales. The hospital reported community contributions of nearly $200,000 toward community projects and charity care this past year.

If the financing can be secured, GMH hopes to break ground on the building project before year end. This will be a huge milestone to add to the successful history of this community hospital.

Past organizational milestones include:

1953 - Guttenberg Municipal Hospital Auxiliary established

1958 - Construction started on Municipal Hospital in current location

1961 - Guttenberg Municipal Hospital opens 21,000 square foot, two level facility

1976 - Hospital addition provides 4,000 square feet for emergency, laboratory, education, and patient financial services

1995 - Construction of two level 19,500 square foot addition with clinic facilities and medical records on ground level and much of upper level shelled for later development

1998 - Hospital enters into first management services agreement with The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa and affiliates as a rural partner with Iowa Health System

1999 - Build-out of upper level of 1995 addition for physical therapy and other rehabilitation services, fitness center and administrative offices

2001 - Family Resource Center opened

2003 - Remodeling to create new labor and delivery suites and nursery area