MetroHealth health system officials announced that they are committed to the “hospital in a park” concept for its main campus on Cleveland’s West Side. However, they have decided against building a 12-acre park along West 25th Street as originally planned. This change comes after a re-evaluation of healthcare and office space needs over the past 16 months under President and CEO Airica Steed. The original “campus transformation” plan, developed under former CEO Dr. Akram Boutros, included the demolition of the Outpatient Plaza building and the creation of a large park in its place. However, MetroHealth now plans to keep the Outpatient Plaza building due to its needed administrative space.
MetroHealth president and CEO Airica Steed explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the demand for health services, leading to modifications in plans for the main campus. The health system plans to weed out older buildings, including the iconic Towers Building, and improve smaller park spaces around the campus. Despite the change in plans, Steed emphasized the importance of engaging with the surrounding community as MetroHealth begins a strategic planning process.
The decision to omit the park has raised concerns among community members. Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmine Santana expressed surprise about the change and shared her disappointment about the lack of public outreach during the re-evaluation process. MetroHealth officials have since invited Santana back for further discussion about the next steps for hospital and community planning.
MetroHealth is also rethinking the vision for the Outpatient Health Center in the Apex Building. Originally designed as a medical office building, the Apex Building will now be revised to accommodate more intensive outpatient care. The changes include adding 70 exam rooms and increasing rooms for outpatient procedures from one to 11.
The ongoing transformation of the MetroHealth campus has introduced challenges in the surrounding community. Santana noted that a new parking garage south of the Glick tower has caused inconvenience for patients and families, leading to increased parking on local streets. MetroHealth officials acknowledged the issue and plan to work on improving parking and traffic flow in the area.
MetroHealth’s re-evaluation of its main campus plans demonstrates the changing healthcare landscape and the need to adapt to evolving needs. The health system’s commitment to community engagement and ongoing efforts to improve patient care and accessibility remain key priorities.
