Healthcare Investments

The healthcare industry has a significant impact on the overall business climate of Saint Paul and its residents. The East Metro area has 11 hospitals, and Saint Paul has 5 large, acclaimed healthcare campuses within or directly adjacent to the Central Business District.

Saint Paul hospitals are anticipating an increased demand for healthcare services from aging baby boomers and project a 26% increase in hospital use by 2013. Because of this increase in demand and the need to accommodate the latest medical technology, the healthcare industry is investing in Saint Paul with significant hospital expansion projects.

REGIONS HOSPITAL – construction is completed on their $179 million expansion and renovation of their facility that includes an 11-story patient tower with more than 100 state-of-the-art private rooms, 20 new operating rooms, expanded and renovated emergency department, and 2 levels of underground parking.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL – construction began on a $300 million expansion and renovation of both their Saint Paul and Minneapolis campuses. The goal for the Saint Paul campus is to create a distinct entrance, modernize and enlarge existing patient rooms into private rooms, upgrade operating rooms, expand the emergency department, and include a roof-top garden.

UNITED HOSPITAL – is undergoing a $90 million cam- pus investment that includes the recently completed Nasseff Specialty Care Center and the Nasseff Medical Center. They are currently expanding their neurological suites, MRI, and developing a new clinic facility for the United Family Health Center and residency programs.

They will be undergoing an additional expansion of their emergency department to 36 rooms and a 12-bed holding area to keep up with the current demand.

UNITED & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL A major expansion project is underway at United & Children’s Hospital that will increase capacity and improve emergency services. Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital (bottom left) utilize new technologies in their $80 million expansion (bottom right).

GILLETTE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL – is planning a $42 million, 52,000 sq. ft. building across University Avenue from its main building. The new building is scheduled to be completed in 2011 and will house surgery, pediatric intensive care, and outpatient services.

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL – construction is completed on an $80 million expansion of the 153-year-old hospital. The project includes a 5-story patient tower with private rooms, a new heart and neuroscience center, lobby and education center, and parking ramp. An expanded emergency department and other renovations will be completed in 2010.

Healthcare represents the largest employment sector in Saint Paul and employs over 32,500 people. It is also the fastest growing employment sector in Saint Paul and is predicted to grow 43% within the next 5 years, to a total of 43,072 employees. Saint Paul hospitals and healthcare clinics combined provide an estimated annual economic impact of $3.1 billion.