Building Project — Questions and Answers
Updated 1/13/20
Where are we in the construction process?
Our construction contractor Mortenson Construction has much of the preparatory work underway, including having cleared the ground and completing other required work. National Jewish Health is working to finalize all permits and plans with the city of Denver and anticipate having the final permits by the end of January.
The Center for Outpatient Health is targeted to be complete by late spring or early summer of 2021.
Tell us a little more about what we are building and why?
We are building a Center for Outpatient Health to meet the needs of our patients and to support our continued growth in patient care, education and research. This is a vital step because it will open up more space in our existing campus facilities for continuing and expanding the world class research and care for which National Jewish Health is known worldwide.
Why is the Center being built where it is?
This location right next to our current patient care areas fully utilizes the existing ancillary services already on our campus, such as radiology, labs and pharmacy. It is located on the west side of Colorado Blvd. in close proximity to current patient care facilities, and on the northwestern most section of the former patient parking lot, situated at Colfax Ave, between Jackson and Garfield.
How will this building benefit our patients?
National Jewish Health has been growing for the past several years. We are nearly out of space! So, first and foremost, the new building will add clinic space and rooms for procedures and care in a modern and friendly setting. We are excited to be able to expand this way and enable our world class staff to care for even more patients. We also know that once we have moved to the new space, we will have the opportunity to renovate our older space providing valuable space for research and education and care. Continuing to grow in all these ways is important for the future of National Jewish Health and the thousands of patients whose lives we impact every day.
Is the construction impacting access for patients and employees?
We are fully open with all services for our patients. The Center for Outpatient Health (COH) construction project has caused us to adjust our parking for patients and employees. During construction we strongly encourage our patients to utilize our free and enhanced complimentary valet services.
Patient drop-off will continue at our main campus circle drive. A valet company, SP+, has been hired to manage the increased valet needs. Some patients or their caregivers may still want to self-park. There is still self-parking available at 1300 Harrison St. on the northeast corner of Colorado Blvd. and 13th Ave.
The Harrison and Jackson have been reconfigured for patient and visitor use – valet and self-park. The north two-thirds of the Harrison lot is valet holding space; the south one third is patient self-park space. A free shuttle picks-up and drops-off patient self-parkers. The Jackson lot is a valet holding space as well as some reserved use.
We will have periodic changes in the entry location for our campus as explained in the next question on this list.
Will the city’s storm water project impact National Jewish Health?
As part of a long-term Denver storm water project, the city will bring a large water main across Colfax Ave. and through the National Jewish Health campus. National Jewish Health is working closely with the city to accommodate this project while causing as little impact as possible to National Jewish Health patients, visitors and staff.
Beginning Saturday, January 18, the main entrance to National Jewish Health will change from Colfax Avenue to a new entrance off 14th Avenue.
You can find a map here of our campus to show you has to access the campus and the valet parking.
Denver Public Works has published a projected timeline of the Storm Drain project here.
Which areas/departments/operations are moving into the new building?
Those details are being finalized. We will have more details soon.
How is the building being funded?
Over the past few years, we have been raising funds for this project through a Comprehensive Campaign led by our Development department. That Campaign has benefited from tremendous engagement from our community of supporters in Denver and around the nation who recognize the need and benefits of this project and have given generously.
Our Comprehensive Campaign has created a strong foundation for the new facility and all the services it will house.
When is the city’s storm water project expected to begin?
The city’s water project is beginning January 13, 2020.
Will the city storm water project impact construction for the Center for Outpatient Health?
We have worked closely with the city regarding their project and our construction of the Center for Outpatient Health. We do not anticipate the two projects having significant impact on one another.
Where can I go for more information?
We have created this web page for the general public, our patients and our own staff. You can access this page directly at njhealth.org/BuildingProject. As more details are known, the site will be updated. As the project moves forward, we also will add more photos. For questions or comments, please email BuildingProject@njhealth.org.