We are pleased to report that the first floor concrete work and basic infrastructure is now complete and sections of the second story are in progress. The second-story floor and walls and wood forms for the third floor should be in place by month’s end. Backfilling around the new patient tower is nearly done, bringing the earth level with the street again. Backfilling from the pile of excavated dirt will continue over the next months. In the basement of the hospital, electrical and structural work also continues. Our new primary switch gear was set in place in July. It will feed power to the new patient tower and the existing facility.

Parking Structure

If you’ve noticed the parking structure looks about ready to open, you’re right! It’s set to open Friday Aug. 29 at 4 a.m for employees, physicians and volunteers. Finishing work, like stucco, paint, and terracotta roof tiles, is more than 80 percent complete, and scaffolding should be removed mid-month. Thorough washing and parking striping are on schedule and bike racks will be installed on the first floor. The elevator will not be operational this month. Fortunately it is not part of the building’s handicapped access, as all handicapped parking is at ground level. Landscaping irrigation has begun and planting will continue in September. The structure’s adjacent alley (see photo at left) has been repaved, and a new curb, drainage and handicapped-accessible sidewalk
near 6th Avenue are in place. The alley is set to re-open on Aug. 11. We were pleased to be able to accommodate the City of Chico’s recent changes to the curb layout in its neighborhood plan. We greatly appreciate the patience of all neighbors and look forward to helping to ease parking in the neighborhood by providing off-street parking for Enloe employees, physicians and volunteers. Medical center patients will continue to park in the two lots closest to the main entrance.