1. Scheduled for completion by fall 2006.
2. Additional 180,000 square feet focuses on patient comfort and ease of entry.
3. Elimination of all three- and four-bed rooms.
4. 122 private or semi-private rooms will be located in the patient tower.
5. Glass atrium lobby will face the Manatee River and connect by walkway to the parking areas.
6. New three-level parking garage will add 250 spaces adjacent to the hospital entry.
7. Campus will total 300,000 square feet upon completion of new additions.

Taking part in the groundbreaking for Manatee Memorial Hospital's new, advanced patient tower and accompanying parking garage are, from left, Mary Fran Carroll, Board Member; Wayne Poston, Mayor, City of Bradenton; Thomas Braxtan, MD, immediate past Chief of Staff; Hugh Miller, Chairman of the Board; Brian Flynn, CEO; Philip Tally, MD, Chief of Staff; and Marc Miller, Vice President, Universal Health Services.

The West Radial (formerly Cardiac Services, Medical Records, Physical Therapy, Security and Employee Health) was demolished in June as the preparation continues for the new addition. Manhattan Construction of Tampa, Fla., is the contractor for the patient tower.

An artist's rendering of the new patient tower shows the view you will see as you enter the City of Bradenton after crossing the Manatee River on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge. HKS Architects of Dallas, Texas, designed the building and garage.

The new parking garage will provide an additional 250 spaces and will be located at the front entrance of the hospital. This entry will face the Manatee River on the north side of the existing campus. R.R. Simmons is the contractor for the parking garage.