By Dan Hounsell

Healthcare new construction is picking up speed nationwide as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and systems slowly return to normal operation. For one project, though, the impact of the pandemic continues. 

Plans for a new $240 million facility for historic Provident Hospital in Bronzeville have been delayed again, this time because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Progress on the eight-story building stalled in February 2020 when the Cook County Health board of directors opted to press pause on the project until a new head of the hospital system was named. New CEO Israel Rocha Jr. said the county will ask a state board for an extension on the project, 15 months after the pandemic first hit the county.

“We will try to minimize any delays possible and try to see where we can move forward, but as COVID has been with us for over a year now, we want to make sure that we are being responsive to the timeline,” Rocha said.