By HFT Staff

Another major milestone has been reached as Essentia Health transforms its downtown Duluth medical campus – the Vision Northland project is substantially complete. The project is now about 98 percent done and plans are being made to occupy the building. 

Substantial completion means all major work on the replacement St. Mary’s Medical Center is largely finished and the building is ready for its intended use – but that does not mean Essentia will begin using it just yet. Work continues in various areas on the project, but it is related to the building’s aesthetics and elements that require warmer weather, among other things. 

The next step is to receive the certificate of occupancy from the City of Duluth, which verifies all life-safety measures are in place and mechanical systems are operational. Once that is complete, Essentia can start moving its equipment into the building and its care teams can begin training in this new space, so they are ready to deliver seamless patient care as soon as the facility opens.