Altru checks in with hospital construction

Altru Health officials are showing off the progress being made on the new hospital project in Grand Forks this week.

The new build has a working budget of $470 million dollars and stands seven floors tall featuring 226 license beds.

Altru CEO Todd Forkel says the new facility will have features the current hospital is not able to provide. “The advanced technology coming in. The bricks and mortar are nice but when we get our physicians and nurses in there that’s when the real magic will occur taking care of those in need.”

Other key benefits include: private NICU rooms and private pre/post operating rooms to a dedicated trauma operating room.

Forkel says the price-tag on the hospital project has gone up – but there will be a cost savings in making the move as well. “The 1970’s infrastructure technology for heating and cooling…that’s where the new technology is so more cost efficient.”  Forkel anticipates an operating cost savings in the six or seven figure range annually.

A ceremony marking the raising of the final beam is scheduled for early September. The hospital is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.