"The construction of the new Critical Care Building is one element of a multi-phase facilities plan that will enable physicians and staff to provide expanded high-quality care in state-of-the-art facilities as St. Joseph's continues to respond to the healthcare needs of the region," says William McDonald, CEO of SJHS, in a statement.

When completed in 2012, the CCB will replace three buildings and a parking garage on the existing campus. The hospital expansion project will add approximately 655,000 square feet of new and renovated space. In addition to the CCB, the master plan relocates the hospital's existing entrance, adds a new lobby and renovates the interior spaces of the hospital. Work has commenced on the two-story lobby and renovations for a new conference center, boardroom and physician lounge.

Francis Cauffman's master plan for the area surrounding the 142-year-old hospital includes a public parking garage, a hotel, an office building, a transit station, affordable housing and a high-rise apartment building for local residents and medical students. The city has embarked on streetscape improvements around the campus that will include a new public park and a community center. SJHS has also contracted with a private developer to build an adjacent, city-operated parking structure.