By By Dan Hounsell

The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the financial strength of health systems nationwide and, as a result, delayed and ended an array of upgrades and projects. But one Midwestern health system is pushing ahead with plans for a major construction project.

UC Health in Cincinnati is taking the next step in its Clifton campus revitalization, including unveiling renderings of its new facilities and beginning demolition to make way for a $251 million investment across the 14-acre campus. It is the largest construction project in the health system’s history. The project is anchored by a new emergency department, surgical building, front entrance and main lobby.

The project includes a significant expansion and renovation of the 30-year-old emergency department at UC Medical Center and the construction of a four-story building to add operating room capacity at the hospital. Two new parking structures for patients, visitors and employees also are being planned that will add 1,300 parking spaces at the Clifton campus.

The surgical building is expected to open in early 2023, followed by the new emergency department building in summer 2023.