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April 30, 2020

YNH neuroscience center delayed due to pandemic 

By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The Yale New Haven Health system is delaying the start of construction on the planned new neuroscience center and expansion project at its St. Raphael campus, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 

YNHH originally announced the $838 million, 505,000-square-foot project last April, and initial plans had been to break ground later this spring.

Vin Petrini, senior vice president of public affairs for the Yale New Haven Health System, said in a statement that YNHH has put “all major projects on hold,” as caring for patients impacted by the pandemic is the hospital system’s priority at this time.

According to Petrini, the hope had been to break ground on the project within the next couple of months. No decision has been made yet on any revised schedule. YNHH is currently assessing the financial impact of responding to the pandemic, he said.

“That will ultimately impact the timing of the project,” Petrini said via e-mail Thursday.

The YNHH system has treated hundreds of patients for COVID-19, with most of the cases in its facilities in the western portion of the state, including New Haven, Bridgeport and Greenwich. This week, the health system reported that a total of 1,500 COVID-19 positive patients had been discharged. As of Wednesday, there were some 700 plus inpatients still being treated.

Hospital officials previously have said that the virus has been negatively affecting the system’s bottom line, as non-COVID-19 patients have been staying away and elective procedures have been postponed. 

On April 15, the City Plan Commission approved plans for the new neuroscience center and expansion. YNHH had originally planned for the project to be completed in 2024. After receiving this approval, hospital officials noted that the timeline could change depending on how long the crisis persists.

The project includes two new patient facilities, including a neuroscience center, along with an expanded emergency room and parking garage space. At the new center, medical staff will treat patients with an array of neurological disorders, such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

The project will be constructed within the existing footprint of the St. Raphael hospital campus, which is bordered by Sherman Avenue and George Street.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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