Construction on West Georgia Health System’s South Tower project has visibly accelerated since employees, community leaders, neighbors, city and county officials gathered outside, as the first shovels of dirt were turned over at the ceremonial groundbreaking in October 2007.

After months of clearing, grading and relocating water and utility lines, South Tower activities centered around the concrete foundation. The 165-foot tower crane, located over the construction site, has been used to lift and pour huge buckets of concrete into the steel forms to build the foundation for the new hospital.

Framing for the exterior walls has been completed and was marked with a ceremonial “topping out” ceremony Dec. 19. Framing for the interior walls and ceilings on the ground and first levels of the new building is under way. This also includes the mechanical, electrical, fire protection and plumbing work. The next step will be installing the roof. This should take place within the next three months.

South Tower marks the most significant ground-up construction project that has taken place on the health system’s main campus since the construction of the central energy plant in 1994. The new 140,000-square-foot facility will be able to accommodate up to 192 beds and is expected to be completed by April 2010.

The $70 million project will be a four-story hospital that includes a new 24-bed intensive-care unit, cardiovascular center, labor/delivery and mother-baby center, and emergency department. The new emergency department will be on the first floor and will have 31 beds. There will be 10 labor/delivery/recovery rooms, two surgical areas for labor and delivery, three triage areas and a 12-bed nursery. All patient rooms will be private, and include wireless computer access and a place for a family member to stay.

The new “front door” of the health system will face Medical Drive and will offer improved access and parking for patients and visitors. The main lobby will offer an enhanced reception area, a gift shop and coffee shop, and will open into an outdoor garden park.

The building itself has been designed to maximize natural light to create a relaxed, therapeutic environment that reduces stress and offers better comfort and support to patients and visitors, hospital officials said. Incorporating natural woods, soothing colors, artwork and contemporary design elements, South Tower will include the comforts of home and the aesthetics and amenities of a fine hotel, officials said.

All patient rooms will be private, and include wireless computer access and a place for a family member to stay. Additionally, the main lobby will offer an enhanced reception area, a gift shop and coffee shop and will open into an outdoor garden park.

The South Tower construction team includes Project Manager KLMK Group; general contractor McCarthy Construction Co.; and architectural design group Ellerbe Becket.