Palo Alto Council approves massive Stanford hospital expansion project

On Monday night, the Palo Alto City Council approved Stanford University’s massive hospital expansion project in a 8-0 vote.

Stanford, which had negotiated with the Palo Alto City Council for 4 years in 96 meetings, finally obtained approved “ordinances, permits and resolutions,” for the project.

The people celebrated the green light with applauses and cheers for the expansion project will change the hamper in hospital totally.

In the expansion, 1.3 million square feet will be added to the Medical Center.
According to the Stanford Report, the expansion project will rebuild Stanford Hospital and expand Packard Children’s Hospital “to assure adequate capacity, meet state-mandated earthquake safety standards, and provide modern, technologically advanced hospital facilities.”

Dr. S. V. Mahadevan, who is medical director of the hospital's emergency department, said the operations in hospital are truly hampered by our current physical plans.

Our hallways are cluttered with patients and medical equipment. ... We do not have enough room to care for patients with the dignity and privacy they deserve, he said.

The project will add 144 patient beds to Stanford Hospital and 104 to Lucile Packard to allow patients enjoy private, individual rooms.

Except that, more space will offer for families, which assure parents can be with their children during treatment and recovery. New surgical, diagnostic and treatment rooms will be established in to Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard. Stanford officials say the project is needed to meet state seismic safety requirements and growing patient demand.

During the negotiation, the Palo Alto asked Stanford to provide community benefits with nearly $175 million.

On Monday's meeting, former 49ers quarterback Steve Young urged council members to support the expansion project. In how many communities can we say that our community hospital is one of the world-class hospitals in existence, Young said.

Stanford University plans to begin construction this summer on this $5 billion hospital expansion project, expected to complete by 2025, the Stanford Daily said.