McLeod Health expanding parking deck

McLeod Health has announced that a service expansion program will soon be underway at McLeod Regional Medical Center to respond to the issue of parking limitations, convenience and demands for easier access to the wide range of health care services offered to the region.

Construction of a new parking deck is planned for the coming year. McLeod Parking Deck East breaks ground in January, 2010 and is set for completion by mid-summer. The location of this three-story parking facility, which will provide approximately 345 parking spaces for patients and visitors, will face Cheves Street, between the McLeod Pavilion Tower and McLeod Tower.

Current parking in this area will be redirected during the seven-month construction period. There will be minimal disruption to patients and visitors and the availability of valet parkers will be increased for the convenience of McLeod guests.

"We are pleased to respond to the issues of ease of entry to patient care areas with this new parking. To better serve our patients and visitors, the parking improvement will provider quicker access to patient care destinations and entrances," stated Marie Segars, Administrator of McLeod Regional Medical Center.

While McLeod's patient satisfaction survey scores remain above the national average, she stated, parking has been identified as an issue for patients and visitors.

McLeod engaged the services of Kimley Horn Associates to conduct a traffic study during the past 24 months to review parking needs for McLeod Regional Medical Center, as part of a master facility plan. With the parking count up due to projections of increasing volumes and utilization and more future growth anticipated, it was recommended as a necessary measure.

McLeod officials are applying for a Federal Transportation Authority grant to help fund this construction. The funding of this approximately $3.5 million project, anticipated and prepared for during the last five years, is financed from reserves and savings, not current operational budgets.

"We are investing in the physical plant now, meeting the need for patient parking, during a period of time when construction costs are at recessionary pricing. Our Board of Trustees and leadership teams continue to focus on strategic planning and are taking the most prudent approach for the development of the campus with building materials currently available at a 25 percent lower cost," said Segars.

Additionally, the new patient parking has been designed to protect trees and setbacks on the McLeod property. Under the direction of the architectural firm, Design Strategies, which has been involved in the very successful Greenville Downtown Development efforts, the deck will be constructed low in profile, and will not block the views from the towers or eliminate open spaces on the streets.

McLeod has also met with the support of downtown revitalization efforts, which are also currently engaged in community enhancements and growth.

The new patient parking will be a safe design, offering ease of use and navigation for patients and visitors, as well as durability and low maintenance.

Protective fencing for the construction will begin to go up during December, following the McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting festivities.