New Orleans' historic 184,388-square-foot Marine Hospital is at the center of a plan to expand Children's Hospital, according to an article on The Times-Picayune website. 

The building would be rehabbed for use as offices along with the preservation of 12 of the existing 18 structures on site, while maintaining and cultivating its extensive tree canopy, the article said.

Many of the buildings are thick with mold and decay. There are also challenges from termites, wasps, water damage and neglect.

The first phase of the project includes renovating several historic buildings, demolishing six others, building an 800-car parking garage and constructing a new 267,000 square-foot critical-care tower and renovating 50,000 square feet on the hospital's first floor.

The second phase could include demolition of Children's current single-story midsection and replacing it with a three- or four-story tower.

Read the article.