The new MetroHealth hospital tower, viewed from the southwest looking northeast. HGA, MetroHealth

CLEVELAND, Ohio – MetroHealth got a unanimous go-ahead Friday from the city’s planning commission on plans for the new 10-story “hospital in a park’’ it will build by 2022 on its main campus off West 25th Street.

The approval clears the way for MetroHealth to seek a building permit. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for April 15.

“It’s a real good boost for the organization. I can’t be happier,” Walter Jones Jr., senior vice president for Metro’s Campus Transformation, said after the meeting.

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The new MetroHealth hospital tower, viewed from the southeast looking northwest. HGA, MetroHealth

Architectural plans developed by the Minneapolis-based architecture firm of HGA call for a 264-bed facility that will tower over the south side of the 52-acre campus nestled in the I-71 curve just south of downtown.

Jones said the building would cost between $450 million and $500 million. It’s a major part of the $767 million “transformation” plan funded by MetroHealth’s $945.7 million issue in 2017.

The building will be the first major step toward transforming MetroHealth’s crowded, aging and confusing campus into a healthcare district nearly equal amounts of buildings and open green space.

But there’s no funding or timetable yet for creating key outdoor spaces central to the “hospital in a park” concept.

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The new MetroHealth hospital tower entry drive. HGA, MetroHealth

To create a proposed new Wellness Garden south of the new hospital tower, MetroHealth will first have to demolish and replace or relocate a skilled nursing facility on the south side of its campus.

To create the larger park fronting West 25th Street, the health system will need to demolish and replace its massive 1992 Outpatient Plaza, which sits atop a garage that fronts West 25th Street with large, blank walls of concrete.

Jones said he had no information Friday about the status of financing or scheduling for the skilled nursing and outpatient projects.

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Dining area in the new MetroHealth hospital tower. HGA, MetroHealth

The current $767 million budget includes money for demolition of the twin, 11-story cylindrical hospital towers built on MetroHealth Drive in 1972. They’ll continue to function until the new building is complete.

The $767 million is also paying for new central utility plant, a recently completed 1,500-space parking garage and new exterior facades on MetroHealth’s Critical Care Pavilion and the Charles H. Rammelkamp Jr. Center for Education and Research, which will be severed from older parts of the hospital.

The new hospital tower will be a slender, rectangular building with a nearly all-glass façade facing south to the highway, and a more conventional window grid on the north side.

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A pediatric room in the The new MetroHealth hospital tower. HGA, MetroHealth

The building will turn its narrow west façade toward West 25th Street to minimize its visual impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood of wood-frame houses and one- or two-story commercial buildings.

Glassy portions of the tower will be framed in broad areas of white terra cotta tiles molded with a wave pattern intended to evoke ripples on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River.

MetroHealth also released new renderings of patient rooms and public spaces inside the new hospital.

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The new MetroHealth hospital will open amid existing buildings on campus, some of which will be removed later to create new green spaces around the tower. HGA, MetroHealth

Jones said the interiors are designed to echo the future park spaces around the building through extensive use of glass and wood detailing intended to provide abundant daylight and a natural feel.

Of MetroHealth’s current facility, Jones said: “You wouldn’t characterize it as creating a good patient experience. It’s a confusing place. It’s a walled-off place. It doesn’t refer to the community at all. It turns its back to the community. It’s hard to get around.”

The new hospital building, he said, will meet or exceed public expectations “about what a hospital should look and feel like.”

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The new MetroHealth hospital tower, viewed from Scranton Road looking south. HGA, MetroHealth

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The new MetroHealth hospital tower, viewed from Scranton Road looking east. HGA, MetroHealth

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The ultimate vision for the "hospital in the park" MetroHealth campus. HGA, MetroHealth

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Conference room in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Lobby of the new MetroHealth hospital tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Exterior view of "Pediatric Tree House" on 4th floor of MetroHealth's new hospital tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Pediatric "Tree House" in MetroHealth's new hospital tower, a place for kids to unwind. HGA, MetroHealth

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A patient waiting area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Imaging reception area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Family resource center in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Meditation Pavilion in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Prep and recovery rooms, staff work zone in the new MetroHealth tower, HGA, MetroHealth

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Prep and recovery room in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Lobby in new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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A patient waiting area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Patient and family elevators, with dining below, in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Employee lounge in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Conference center in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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The Pediatric Tree House in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Patient and family elevators, with dining below, in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Entry to the Meditation Pavilion in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Performance area near lobby of the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Typical inpatient floor at the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Serving area in the new MetroHealth tower cafe. HGA, MetroHealth

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Serving area in the new MetroHealth tower cafe. HGA, MetroHealth

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Wood paneling imparts warmth in the imaging room planned for the MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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A typical patient room in the MetroHealth tower to be built by 2022. HGA, MetroHealth

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Meditation garden on ground level of the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Family resource center in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Inpatient staff work area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Inpatient staff work area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Cafe in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth

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Patient waiting area in the new MetroHealth tower. HGA, MetroHealth