Norwood Hospital Unveils Conceptual Design For New Building

NORWOOD, MA - After nearly two years since a massive flood shut down Norwood Hospital, the Planning Board on Monday unanimously approved a conceptual plan for the new medical campus, which includes a parking garage.

James Hilliard, the attorney representing Steward Health Care, of which Norwood Hospital is an affiliate, spoke before the presentation of the design, noting that it is proposing a concept for feedback. He explained that, when the medical services overlay district was approved, it expanded the zoning requirements in that district.

"This is not a hearing to approve the hospital," he explained, noting that Steward will have to come before the board again to request special permits over the next couple of months, including one for a helipad. "It's not a hearing to approve any permits."

"If we don't answer your question, if we're unable to answer your questions," Hilliard continued, "it just means that we're not there yet."

Abatement began on the building last week within the buildings, as hazardous materials have to be removed from inside before any demolition work can take place.

"We are very happy to be here tonight to start this process, to get it moving," said Steve VanNess, the vice president of Steward's planning and design division. "Once we have those materials abated, we will start demolition."

He added that he is currently working with the town's fire department and building inspector to ascertain how to safely shut down the buildings' systems.

"We're totally demolishing the buildings on the site," VanNess stressed. "The buildings, from our point of view, are a total loss. So we are totally reconstructing the hospital - all new, all state-of the art - for this community.

The proposal showed construction would take place on approximately 419,000 square feet, whereas the old building was 400,000 square feet.

There are two buildings proposed. The main facility on the E. Hoyle Street side of the property will be linked to a smaller outpatient building via a joint lobby area. The shared entry point faces Washington Street, as does the emergency drop-off entrance. The parking garage will be at the rear of the site, and a covered walkway will link the buildings. The ambulance entry point will be off of E. Hoyle Street.

The design includes a parklet on the Washington Street side as well as green space along the front edge. Local plantings and coniferous trees will serve as a buffer around the generator and ambulance area to dampen the noise and enhance visual impact.

Environmental consultant Jack O'Leary said that, although they are in the planning stages now, there will be redundant stormwater mitigations systems put in place. There will also be two natural gas connections with National Grid. There are also a couple of above-ground tanks to supply oxygen as well as two emergency generators.

O'Leary added that the amount of impervious surface will be reduced with the new complex, which should also reduce stormwater flow. There have been some test pits on the site to look for infiltration opportunities.

"Stormwater is pretty important here," noted Planning Board Chair Joe Sheehan in reference to the previous massive flooding.

"In the context of this site, yes," replied O'Leary.

Vice Chair Ernie Paciorkowski noted that employees previously parked at a lot across the street. He asked if employees will be parking in the lot as well as the garage. One of the lots is expected to be retained.

Regarding building height, the tallest point in the main rood is 64 feet, while the tallest elevation is 87 feet.

Previously, the hospital had 400 parking spaces. The garage is expected to have at least that many, and the details will be forthcoming. Parking issues occurred in the past because people using the commuter rail or the health facility across the street would use the Norwood Hospital lot. There is a traffic study in progress.

Joe West, who said he lives about 100 yards away at the Washington Court condominium complex said he was concerned about dust created from the construction. There will be a plan to mitigate dust and noise.

Town Planner Paul Halkiotis reminded the audience that this is in the conceptual phase.

"But at this level, the way I look at it, we have three major pieces of a puzzle here: the parking garage, the outpatient center and the main hospital," he said. "At this level we wanted to make sure that these pieces of the puzzle fit together properly, and that the access points to each one of these buildings is the bestit can possible be."

He added that he will be working with the project team, a peer review consultant, and Town Engineer Mark Ryan to work out some of the specifics.

Sheehan described this meeting as a "show and tell."

Sal Perla, the president of Norwood Hospital, also attended the meeting.