New hospital in Prince George’s County breaks ground

For years, a planned Prince George’s County regional hospital has faced numerous setbacks with criticisms that the project would be too big and too expensive. This Thursday, groundbreaking officially began for the $543 million University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center with the hope to improve healthcare in the County.

According to the Washington Post, the state and County will contribute more than $400 million for the facility.

In a statement, Governor Larry Hogan said, “For decades, the citizens of Prince George’s County have not had the level of high-quality patient care that they deserve. Pushing to get this hospital built has been a mission that is very personal to me.”

The new, 26-acre hospital will feature a cancer center, stroke center, and a self-contained pediatric hospital. WJLA further reports that the 600,000-square-foot facility will also include two rooftop helipads, 205 private in-patient rooms, eight operating rooms, a 45-bay Emergency Department, and a 20-bed Adult Observation/Short Stay treatment area.

The hospital is expected to deliver by 2021.

• U.Md. Medical System breaks ground on new hospital in Pr. George’s Co. [WTOP]

• Construction begins on new University of Maryland medical center [WJLA]

• After a decades-long struggle, Prince George’s breaks ground on hospital complex [The Washington Post]

• Long-delayed Prince George’s hospital project faces new setback [The Washington Post]