Building Project — Questions and Answers
Updated 11/8/19
When is the new building construction starting?
Soon. There are several steps to be completed before construction begins, but likely we will break ground in early January. National Jewish Health is working to finalize all permits and reviews of building plans with the city of Denver. The fence around the construction area goes up the week of December 2 which marks the beginning of staging for construction, followed closely by the actual groundbreaking.
What exactly are we 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. We see this step as vital because it also will open up more space in our existing campus facilities for continuing the world class research and care for which National Jewish Health is known worldwide.
Where will the new Center facility be located?
To fully utilize the existing ancillary services already on our campus, such as radiology, labs and pharmacy, the new Center is being built on our current campus. It will be located on the west side of Colorado in close proximity to current patient care facilities. It will set on the northwestern most section of the 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, modernizing it for care as well as providing valuable space for research and education. 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.
What is the construction impact to patient and employee parking?
The Center for Outpatient Health (COH) will be built just west of the Smith Building in what is currently a patient self-park lot. During that construction the current patient self-park lot will be closed. Patients are strongly encouraged to utilize enhanced complimentary valet services.
Patient drop-off will continue in the current location at the 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. Space will be allocated to accommodate some self-parking.
The Harrison and Jackson lots will be reconfigured for patient and visitor use – valet and self-park. The north two-thirds of the Harrison lot will be used as valet holding space; the south one third will be patient self-park space. A shuttle will be available to pick-up and drop-off patient self-parkers. The Jackson lot will be valet holding space as well as some reserved use. In addition a shuttle will be available to take patients back-and-forth to the self-park lot.
Employee parking is available in either the expanded Bellevue Lot and in the B’nai B’rith lot.
When are the parking changes happening?
On Monday, November 25, our valet company SP+ will begin providing valet services at National Jewish Health. Employees will all begin parking in the Bellevue and BB lots.
On Monday, December 2, the current patient self-park lot will close and be fenced off as staging for construction. The new parking procedures will begin for all patients and visitors.
How long will the parking changes be in place?
The revised parking plans will be in force for 18 to 20 months, until the completion of the Center for Outpatient Health.
Will the city’s water project impact National Jewish Health?
As part of a long-term Denver 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.
Once the city begins the project (likely in early 2020) some changes will be temporarily made to the way that patients and visitors access the National Jewish Health campus. We will keep you posted once those plans are decided and when we have a firmer timeline available.
You will find a map of our campus to show you has to access the campus and the valet parking.
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 water project expected to begin?
We anticipate the city’s project to take place in early 2020.
Will the city 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.