One year after The New Wishard Groundbreaking, the new 1.2 million-square-foot facility is rising into the Indianapolis skyline while maintaining a level path under budget, ahead of goals for local and diverse participation in construction and on schedule to open in 2014.

"This time last year, some of our community’s most respected leaders joined us as we gathered next to a hole in the ground where the future of health care in our community would eventually stand," said Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO and medical director at Wishard. "As we were then, we are now tremendously grateful to our community for making a new Wishard possible. Today, the construction site holds the rising foundation of the new hospital, outpatient care building and parking garage. It is a foundation that lies not only in concrete and steel, but also in the broad, diverse and overwhelming support of our community that centers on a spirit of compassion and shared goals." 

The New Wishard project is the largest single-site construction project in Central Indiana and one of the largest in the state. The New Wishard project is creating 4,400 jobs. The $754 million hospital will feature 327 inpatient beds in addition to Wishard’s renowned adult Level I Trauma Center and adult burn center. 

"By the end of the year, our construction team will top off the new hospital’s structural steel at the 12th level, and even today you can stand at the White River State Park or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and see The New Wishard rising four and five levels above the surface," said Matthew R. Gutwein, president and CEO at Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, which operates Wishard. "Just as important, the project is under budget and on schedule for completion in 2014, and it progresses ahead of goals for participation in construction by minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. A new day for health care in Central Indiana is on the horizon – figuratively, as it was during last year’s groundbreaking, and now quite literally." 

The New Wishard project has progressed efficiently and responsibly during the last year, having executed approximately $135 million in construction contracts and continuing on plan to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which would make it one of 10 newly built hospitals in America – and the first in Indiana – to achieve LEED® Silver or higher. 
The New Wishard Diversity Team, working in partnership with the City of Indianapolis Department of Minority and Women Business Development, has conducted more than 70 outreach events, workshops and meetings for minority-, women- and veteran-owned business enterprise (M/W/VBE) contractors, and through current construction contracts executed, Wishard has committed more than 29 percent to M/W/VBEs and is ahead of goal for each. The majority of all firms winning contracts on the project are local, with more than 85 percent in the Indianapolis metro area. 

The New Wishard project will move forward substantially in the coming months and begin providing care for patients in December 2013. By the end of 2011, the structural steel for the hospital tower will reach its final height, topping off the 12th level. The hospital concrete structure will continue through the coming months and should wrap up this summer. The south half of the parking garage will be at its final height of six levels by the middle of the year and will be complete in 2012. 

The more than $50 million Bid Package 5 comes due May 26. Beyond that, more than $60 million in work remains for the balance of the project. The Duke Realty/Browning Investments co-development of the faculty office building at The New Wishard will account for more than $60 million in work that must also adhere to Wishard’s goals for M/W/VBE participation. 

On May 12, 2010, some of the community’s most esteemed leaders – including Mayor Greg Ballard, State Representatives Bill Crawford and Greg Porter, City-County Councillor Barbara Malone, Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, IU School of Medicine Dean Dr. D. Craig Brater, Marion County Public Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine, Indianapolis Department of Minority and Women Business Development Director Greg Wilson, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jason Fishburn, New Wishard Capital Campaign co-chairs Deborah Daniels and John Thompson and hundreds more – joined Wishard to turn a shovel of dirt and break ground on The New Wishard. 

Wishard is one of the five largest safety net health systems in America, providing care in nearly 1.4 million outpatient visits each year. It is one of Central Indiana's largest employers, with more than 4,000 employees. 
Visit TheNewWishard.org  to learn more about the project and view the webcam including a one-year time lapse video. Learn more about Wishard Health Services at Wishard.edu.

Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: (317) 630-7808
Pager: (317) 310-5972