Norton West Louisville Hospital recently reached an important milestone. After months of hard work preparing the foundation and underground utilities for the facility, the construction crew installed the first beam on July 10. Once complete, about 500 pieces of steel weighing nearly 600 tons will support the next stages of construction. Steel will continue to be installed through October. The building skin is scheduled to be installed in mid to late October, with the roof to follow.
“It’s exciting to see the first visible pieces of the hospital structure take shape. We look forward to the day the hospital opens and when those who live and work in West Louisville will have increased access to health care,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “This project is already bringing jobs to the community, and more opportunities will be available once the hospital is closer to opening.”
Recruitment for team members to work at the hospital will begin in late spring or early summer 2024.
Currently, the project is creating ongoing opportunities for women and minorities in the community to enter the construction workforce and start sustainable careers. This is achieved through the Louisville Urban League’s Kentuckiana Builds program and Harmon/Messer Construction’s Urban Workforce Development Initiative, otherwise known as UWDI, which provides job training, assistance with social services and placement in full-time jobs. Successful candidates are able to get work experience on the Norton West Louisville Hospital job site.
Services to be provided once the hospital opens include a 24/7 emergency department; inpatient treatment with 20 beds to start; operating rooms; imaging services, including X-ray, CT and MRI; and a retail pharmacy. Outpatient office space will include adult and pediatric primary care, women’s services including obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, orthopedics, diabetes care and behavioral health services.
Based on community feedback, Norton West Louisville Hospital also will have a centralized check-in area, community room, outdoor green space and a food pantry. In addition, work from local artists will be featured in the facility. Norton West Louisville Hospital is expected to open in late 2024. It will be part of the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus in conjunction with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.
Ben Keeton