Aurora expansion expected to begin in spring

Aurora Medical Center in Grafton is poised to expand its facility to meet the growing needs of patients.

Last week, the village’s Architectural Review Board approved plans for an 8,343-square-foot addition that includes 16 patient beds.

The addition —which will also have a staff lounge, bathrooms and electrical and mechanical areas — will be connected to the west side of the existing northwest in-patient tower.

“The planned expansion at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton will fulfill a vital need to enhance our community’s access to comprehensive medical care by increasing our capacity,” Aurora spokesman Cheri Mantz told Ozaukee Press.

“This expansion can increase our ability to provide safe, high-quality, compassionate care to help our community live well.”

Grafton Community Development Director Jessica Wolff said the expansion is expected to proceed quickly because the hospital has capacity issues in its emergency-room department.

Officials said the medical center plans to begin construction in spring if approvals are received as expected.

Wolff said plans call for the addition to be built with pre-fabricated modules that have pre-built rooms and blocks with electrical and heating systems in place.

“They plan to move forward fairly quickly due, in part, to the nature of the addition because it is going to be a modular construction rather than a stick-built (addition),” she said.

“It’s a much more energy-efficient way to do construction, especially on small projects like this because all of the mechanicals, electricals and plumbing can be integrated into each of the modules and be connected to each other.”

Wolff said she has heard of module construction before but not seen it done in the Grafton.

“I know this is how they build battleships, by constructing them in sections and then welding them together,” she said.

“It’s not a new form of construction. It’s just new to us.”

Officials would not comment on the cost of construction or if it will increase hospital rates.  

The Plan Commission will review the site plan and zoning amendment for the planned-unit development proposal at its Tuesday, Feb. 23, meeting followed by Village Board consideration in March.

Mantz said Aurora officials are pleased the village is helping them move quickly in the planning process.