Construction starts on Franciscan Beacon Hospital

Franciscan Health and Beacon Health System broke ground Friday on the $21.6 million Franciscan Beacon Hospital in LaPorte.

The project officially got underway after city and health system representatives blessed the ground of the future new hospital and ceremoniously sunk their shovels into the earth outside the current Beacon Medical Group building.

“This project, which has been in the works for the last two years, is a great symbol of the commitment by both organizations to the people in LaPorte County,” said Kreg Gruber, Beacon Health System chief executive officer.

“It all really started with relationships and conversations, and oftentimes, that’s where great things begin.”

Once completed in early 2020, Franciscan Beacon Hospital will comprise about 28,000 square feet of new construction and include an approximate 19,000-square-foot renovation of the current space at 900 I St.

“The real beneficiaries of this venture are the patients in this community,” said Dean Mazzoni, Franciscan Health Michigan City president and chief executive officer.

“Patients will benefit from the incredible talent through physicians and healthcare providers that are going to be serving in this beautiful facility in the future.”

The hospital will also feature a full-service, 10-bed emergency department, eight inpatient beds, laboratory services and telehealth connectivity, and state of the art imaging and diagnostic equipment.

“This is going to be a high-quality facility with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment,” LaPorte Mayor Mark Krentz, said to the 100-plus people in attendance Friday.

“Thank you so much for your compassion and your commitment to our community.”