Mary Free Bed plans $48m expansion

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Mary Free Bed will build a new four-story facility adjacent to its existing hospital, and simultaneously renovate the current area in a $48 million project announced Monday.

Groundbreaking on a new 114,660 square-foot building is expected later this year next to the hospital at 235 Wealthy Street SE.

"We're basically setting a new 'state-of-the-art' for the rehabiliation industry," CEO Kent Riddle told 24 Hour News 8 Monday.

The new facility will have 40 private patient rooms with larger spaces and more amenities for families. One floor may be used for skilled nursing beds for spinal cord and traumatic brain injury patients.

"This fills a gap," Riddle continued. "This provides a higher level of rehabilitation therapy and medical leadership for patients that otherwise wouldn't get that," he said.

While construction is underway, Mary Free Bed will renovate its existing hospital. The semi-private rooms will become all private, the main entry way will be simplified, and a gift shop, coffee shop and Wi-Fi lounge will be added. Plans also include the consolidation of all outpatient care services into one building.

The project is expected to be completed in late 2013. State approval is needed for any renovation more than $2.5 million, Riddle said, but he expects the plan to get the go-ahead.

"It's basically a foregone conclusion," he said.

24 Hour News 8's Ryan Takeo contributed to this report.