A major expansion of NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk is moving forward in Patchogue after the Brookhaven Town Board approved plans for a new seven-story patient pavilion, expanded parking and improvements across the hospital campus.

The centerpiece of the project is a roughly 270,000-square-foot pavilion that will connect to the southern portion of the existing hospital on Hospital Road. The pavilion will contain 144 beds, although hospital representatives told the board the expansion will result in a net increase of 52 beds because existing beds will be relocated into the new building.

The hospital currently operates 203 beds. Once the project is completed, that number is expected to increase to 255. Representatives said the additional space will also allow the hospital to convert rooms to single-bed patient rooms and accommodate newer medical technology.

The project will significantly change the southern portion of the campus. The hospital's main entrance will be relocated to the south side of the new pavilion, while an existing entrance along Hospital Road will be eliminated and replaced with landscaping. The emergency department will remain on the north side of the hospital.

Parking will also expand. Plans include 142 additional parking spaces beyond 399 spaces previously approved by the town. When the work is completed, the campus is expected to have approximately 1,200 spaces, more than the 1,097 required under town code.

Project engineer Angelo Llano of VHB told the board that a traffic study found acceptable levels of service at the locations studied and concluded the expansion would not have a significant negative impact on surrounding traffic. NYU Langone has also agreed to upgrade traffic signal equipment and pedestrian signals at the hospital's Sills Road entrance at the request of the Suffolk County Department of Public Works.

Plans include new landscaping, a healing garden, an entrance garden, native and adaptive plantings, green roofs and terraces. The project is also expected to reduce impervious surface within the project area by about 0.42 acres, reducing runoff into the campus recharge basin.

The proposal received strong support during the public hearing.

State Sen. Dean Murray praised NYU Langone's investment in Patchogue and surrounding communities, pointing to its health care expansion and community programs. He said the project would provide construction jobs, additional health care employment and expanded services for area residents.

Labor leaders also backed the expansion. Vinny Alou of Laborers Local 66 said the project would provide work for local tradespeople, while Matthew Arasich, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council, said many workers expected to participate in construction live in Brookhaven.

Town officials also spoke about improvements they have seen at the hospital and the importance of having expanded critical care available locally.

The Town Board ultimately approved a State Environmental Quality Review negative declaration for the proposal before unanimously approving the site plan, associated improvements and variances.

With the votes completed, town officials congratulated the project team, clearing a major local approval for NYU Langone's continued expansion of the Patchogue hospital campus

Source: Brookhaven Town