With the placement of the 9.4-ton crown on top of St. Joseph’s Hospital Friday, the $15 million exterior renovation of the 44-year-old building at 11705 Mercy Blvd. is almost complete.
Crews have spent nine months on the project, and a hospital news release said they have pulled more than 900 tons of brick from the building and removed 300 windows.
The project, which began in June, is expected to be finished April 18.
Between 30 and 60 workers are on the site daily.
The new exterior is designed to be resistant to hurricane winds up to 130 miles per hour and to have increased energy efficiency.
On the interior, the renovation will include: Patient care improvements; replacement of dated and damaged finishes; new heating and air conditioning units; full renovation of restrooms with ADA-compliant toilets and walk-in showers and new nurses’ stations with more efficient layouts.
St. Joseph’s Hospital was founded in 1875 when the Sisters of Mercy took over operations of the Forest City Marine Hospital. It was located in an old house on the corner of East Broad and Gordon streets in downtown Savannah.