Gouverneur Healthcare Services, a long term care nursing facility and the largest city-run community health center, today began construction on a major $180 million, four-year modernization project that will expand primary and preventive care services, transform the clinical and residential environments, and create a larger, modern, 295-bed nursing facility to serve the Lower East Side and Chinatown community. The project is part of a city-wide, five-year $1.2 billion capital investment program to modernize and rebuild New York City Health and Hospital (HHC) facilities and further improve the quality of healthcare services for all New Yorkers.

Gouverneur Executive Director Mendel Hagler, HHC President Alan D. Aviles, HHC South Manhattan Network SVP Lynda Curtis, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, other elected officials and local community representatives marked the beginning of the project at a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, September 22, 2008, at Gouverneur’s main campus, 227 Madison Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

"The modernization project reflects Gouverneur’s commitment to provide patients with top-notch care in a comfortable, safe environment," said Executive Director Mendel Hagler. "I am pleased that our dream to build a premier, 21st century healthcare facility in Lower Manhattan is successfully under way. When it is complete, our patients and residents will be able to receive the best care possible in a modern, patient-centered setting, and our dedicated and caring staff will have the best resources to provide care in a state-of-the-art and technologically advanced facility."

The new facility, expected to be completed by 2012 will remain in its current address at 227 Madison Street. It will house a new ambulatory care pavilion, The Center for Community Health and Wellness, designed to serve more than 345,000 outpatient visits a year – a 15 percent increase from its current capacity. It will also create The Residence at Gouverneur Court, a modern nursing facility that will represent the next generation of long-term care with its home-like spaces, private rooms and suites.

"For close to 125 years, Gouverneur Healthcare Services has taken care of the ever-changing population of New York City's Lower East Side and Chinatown Community serving as both a comprehensive community health center as well as a skilled nursing home. These past few days New York City – and the world around us -- has been shaken by a financial crisis of staggering proportion. At a time of such upheaval and uncertainty, it is reassuring to be reminded that some important things remain constant and that our City will continue to modernize essential components of our public hospital system – like Gouverneur Healthcare Services – so that they will endure for future generations," said HHC President Aviles.

The Center for Community Health and Wellness

The new ambulatory care pavilion space will house Gouverneur’s full spectrum of medical, dental, obstetrical, pediatric, rehabilitation and behavioral health services. This year, Gouverneur served approximately 300,000 outpatient visits and with the new building expects to expand capacity by 15 percent. The health center will feature a state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot Women and Children’s Center, a dialysis center, a new CT scan area and space for a full spectrum ambulatory surgery center. In addition, sweeping advances in the facility’s design and equipment will increase patient safety, enable greater efficiency, and provide state-of-the-art technology and comfortable amenities in patient care and public areas.

The Residence at Gouverneur Court

The new 295-bed nursing facility will have 85 additional beds to accommodate the growing aging population in New York City, particularly among Chinese Americans and Latinos who make up the majority of Gouverneur’s population. In Fiscal Year 2007, Gouverneur had a 98% occupancy rate for its long term care beds. The new space will have the feel and amenities of an apartment building and features a resident-centered design to foster a sense of community among residents, their family members, and staff. The new space will also support the modern culture of nursing homes where residents are empowered to create options in their daily living activities such as in meal time, bathing and going outdoors. The design elements that encourage this nursing home culture change include the creation of a private resident entrance, discrete household space, family style kitchen and dining areas, private bathrooms and modern lighting and finishes.

The project was designed by the RMJM Hillier Architects and will be constructed by Hunter-Roberts Construction Company. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) will be the construction manager.

"The innovative design has been tailored to Gouverneur's patients - approximately three quarters of whom are Hispanic or Asian – which will ensure that Gouverneur remains connected and engaged with the local community," said Steve Gifford, director of the Design Studio for RMJM Hillier. "The project will provide the community with a public health facility that will offer state-of-the art outpatient and residential care well into the 21st century."

Gouverneur is part of HHC’s South Manhattan Health Network, which includes Bellevue Hospital Center, Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, and Metropolitan Hospital Center.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $5.4 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based health centers. For more information about HHC, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.

Gouverneur Exterior Rendering

Gouverneur Atrium Rendering	Gouverneur Reception and Waiting Area Rendering

Gouverneur Lounge Rendering	Gouverneur Activity Room Rendering

Gouverneur Adolescent Center Rendering	Gouverneur Bedroom Rendering