NextStop Blog

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) refers to the investment that takes place at and around transit infrastructure. TOD is often a catalyst for economic growth – improving access to jobs, housing and amenities, and helping promote active lifestyles and a reduced dependence on automobiles.

The intersection of Chouteau and Grand has long been an empty entrance into St. Louis University’s south campus and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. However, if you drive by now, it’s bustling with activity as construction workers go vertical with a new Saint Louis University Hospital and new outpatient care center. Sitting just a quarter mile south of Metro’s Grand Transit Center, this new investment will bring more hospital workers, patients, and visitors near public transit.

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital boasts more than 802,000 square feet of hospital and outpatient care facilities, including 316 new beds on 10 floors, a 4-story ambulatory care facility, a large parking garage, and an expanded emergency department. The project will cost $550 million, making it a huge investment for SSM Health and the surrounding neighborhood. Construction began in August 2017 and completion is planned for September 2020. Alberici Constructors Inc. is the project’s construction manager.

“This is an exciting time for our hospital and community,” says Kate Becker, President of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. “The new campus upholds our vision of providing exceptional health care services and supporting the needs of our patients for decades to come. This investment is highly accessible by car, bike, bus, or train, and will ensure workers, patients, and visitors can easily get to exceptional health care.”

“This investment is highly accessible by car, bike, bus, or train, and will ensure workers, patients, and visitors can easily get to exceptional health care.” – Kate Becker, President of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

The architects, St. Louis-based Lawrence Group and Millwaukee-based Hammel, Green and Abrahamson included some innovative design features to ensure the hospital serves its patients and workers as best it can. To further promote the educational mission of the hospital, the designers planned alcoves in hallways so that doctors, residents, and students can huddle near patients, rather than blocking hallways. The hospital grounds will include green space and lots of natural light, in hopes to make it a healthier, more pleasant place to be for hospital workers and patients alike. Leaders of the project wanted to create a “design studio” which features life-size models and actual fixtures and locations of items in the patient rooms in the new hospital. Staff members will be able to experience those rooms and provide input on design changes and additions to ensure everything is perfect.

This project also sits just south of St. Louis’ newest district, named by popular vote as “Prospect Yards.” The announcement of the new hospital helped create momentum for more transit-oriented developments around the Grand Transit Center. The half-mile area is now governed by St. Louis University’s 353 Midtown Redevelopment Corporation, and will soon see the City Foundry and Armory redevelopment projects, which will bring new offices, restaurants, and a food hall to this part of the city. Ward 17 Alderman Joe Roddy has been active in building this momentum around transit in his ward.

“This project is an example of how the St. Louis region can do a better job of coordinating urban planning, investment, incentives, and transportation to help build car-optional neighborhoods around transit, he said.

Blueprints:

Project: SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

• Developer: SSM Health and Saint Louis University
  • 10-story, 600,000 square foot hospital with 316 patient beds
  • 4-story, 200,000 square foot outpatient care center
• Timeline: Construction began in August 2017 with planned completion in September 2020