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Politics & Government

Big Changes at Delnor, Including Expanded North Side Entrance

The city of Geneva OKs 12th and 13th updates of the Delnor Hospital PUD, including expansion of the north entrance, construction of a new 24,000-square-foot building (shell space) on the north side of the hospital, and parking.

Cadence Health is continuing a steady beat of improvements at Delnor Hospital, including an upgrade of the north entrance to the hospital.

At Monday's Geneva City Council meeting, alderman unanimously ratified staff approval to Updates No. 12 and 13 to the hospital's planned unit development.

The two projects are part of "a long array of projects beyond these two to repurpose space," Community Development Director Dick Untch told the City Council.

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"I think there are a number of plans at this point," he said. "Hospitals by their very nature tend to build and improve."

Update No. 12 is the renovation and expansion of the north entrance, renovation of the emergency department entrance, construction of a new 24,000-square-foot building (shell space) on the north side of the hospital, and renovation of the north parking lot.

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The total additional lobby and shell space includes 14,400 square feet on level one and 10,600 square feet on level two, plus a 4,000-square-foot mechanical penthouse."

It also includes an increase the 326-space parking area to 341 parking stalls.

Parking and traffic congestion at the north end were two concerns expressed by aldermen Monday night.

First Ward Alderman Sam Hill said "there’s a lot of traffic southbound on Randall and traffic jams. They have a tremendous amount of backups," and 5th Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino said "the north entrance parking lot is filled all the time."

Update No. 13 involves expansion and renovation project on the west side of campus including a two-story addition totalling 14,500 square feet and mechanical room penthouse, totaling 14,500 additional square feet.

"Since the proposed changes only include an addition to an existing buildings and minor renovations, only staff-level review of the plans is required," says the report posted on the city's website. "The city’s development staff has completed a review of the development plans and confirmed that they comply with the applicable regulations of the City Code and the Delnor Community Hospital Planned Unit Development."

In 2003, the city of Geneva approved a comprehensive PUD for the hospital campus that laid out a specific review process for three types of projects. The first project type requires staff approval only and would consist of smaller additions to existing buildings or parking lot expansions.

According to the plans, the 15 additional spaces will be created by moving the ring road north.

Charlie Cloutir, who is in charge of construction at Delnor, told the City Council that the parking issues on the north side are in part caused by staff parking in spaces that might otherwise be used by hospital visitors. He said that issue would be resolved by policy changes at the hospital.

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