Construction of a five-level underground parking garage at St Francis Hospital is now complete, creating more than 500 additional spaces for hospital staff and volunteers. The new structure is located at the front of the hospital campus and is designed to ease parking demands and improve patient visitor convenience.

"Like most hospitals, parking has been at a premium at St. Francis. The addition of a new garage gives us adequate space for staff parking and opens up the north garage for use by our visitors and patients," explained Martin Bieber, chief operating officer, St. Francis Hospital. "We have alleviated the stress of finding parking, making the experience of visiting St. Francis Hospital more convenient than ever," he added.

The structure features safety lighting, on-site security office, and a pedestrian tunnel that allows staff to enter and exit from the garage directly into the lower level of the hospital.

Excavation of a massive area was begun in the summer of 1999 and over the past year employees cooperated by parking off-site at Christopher Morley Park on alternating weeks. Shuttle bus service was provided to transport staff between the lots and the hospital.

The community was very understanding and supportive throughout the construction phase, which involved extensive geological testing and architectural plans that incorporated the design of the existing campus," said Alan D. Guerci MD, president and chief executive officer.