Nationwide Children's Hospital today announced an ambitious building plan that it says will transform its main campus in Columbus.
Nationwide Children's says the $730 million plan will accommodate the growth of America's largest not-for-profit, pediatric healthcare network.
The plan's centerpiece is a freestanding behavioral health facility for children and adolescents. The eight-story structure will house a Crisis and Observation Center and will eventually house 66 in-patient beds.
Groundbreaking is set for the winter of 2017. The building will open in 2020.
The plan also includes expansions of the Livingston Ambulatory Building, the Hospital Tower, the Childcare Center and an enhanced Livingston Park.
Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther praised the expansion, not only for the positive effect on the city's economy, but for the tremendous impact it will have on the lives of children and families.