SALEM HOSPITAL Expansion advances

Work on an elevated walkway could begin by spring.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- After a year's worth of work on a $15.1 million expansion project, Salem Community Hospital is getting closer to using some of the space.
Hospital officials expect in late November or early December to move into the ground floor of a three-story, 27,000-square-foot medical center being constructed across the street.
The ground floor will be the new home of the physical, occupational and speech therapies programs, explained Michelle Hoffmeister, a hospital spokeswoman.
With the medical center's ground floor occupied, work will continue on other parts of the center, which should be finished in about five months.
The remainder of the medical center will be occupied by the hospital's sleep laboratory, which will be a new service. Four physicians' practices also will occupy the building.
Project expands: While the medical center's construction has been under way, crews also started other aspects of the expansion at the original building.
Ground floor space is being reconfigured, and workers are laying the foundation for a three-story, 31,000-square-foot addition to the front of the hospital. The addition will provide space for a new out-patient department and lobby.
By early 2002, the hospital also hopes to have in place an elevated walkway that will pass over East State Street and connect the hospital with the medical center.
East State Street traffic will have to be temporarily rerouted during parts of the walkway construction. The length of time for the detour is unclear, Hoffmeister said.
The entire expansion project could be completed by winter 2002.
Additional employees: Hospital officials will be adding personnel to staff the sleep laboratory, although how many is unclear. More employees also may be necessary at the physical, speech and occupational therapies clinic, Hoffmeister said. The hospital employs 598 full-time and 358 part-time workers.
Funding the expansion project is $10 million in municipal bonds and revenue from hospital operations.