Piedmont Athens Regional set to start work on new tower

Today is a groundbreaking day at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center: it marks the ceremonial start of work on the new patient tower for the hospital on Prince Avenue. Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz is among those taking part: activities get underway at 5:30 this afternoon. 

From Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center…

WHAT: Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center will host a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking and start of construction for its new patient tower, which will replace the oldest section of the hospital. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks from Piedmont Athens Regional Board Chair David Sailors, M.D., followed by general remarks from Piedmont Athens Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Burnett, and closing remarks from Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz. During the ceremony, attendees will learn about the construction project and there will be a reception to follow.

WHO: Hosted by Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

WHERE: Piedmont Athens Regional (1199 Prince Ave.), outside area on the corner of Prince Avenue and Talmadge Drive. Parking is available in the Talmadge Parking Deck.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m., with reception to follow.  

WHY: Phase I of Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center's $171 million renovation and expansion project, which officially kicked off in October 2018, has been completed, as the hospital begin the process of demolition and construction of the hospital's new patient tower, estimated to be completed in 2022.

Phase I of the hospital’s project included the expansion of a new patient unit on an existing hospital tower known as Prince Tower Two, located near the corner of Prince and King avenues. With the completion of this unit complete, the hospital has worked to move hospital areas that are currently located in the 1919 Tower (a section of Prince Tower One), which is located on Talmadge Drive, over to the new patient unit built on Prince Tower Two. The 1919 Tower is currently the oldest section of the hospital, built 100 years ago. As Piedmont Athens Regional says goodbye to this section of the hospital, it welcomes a state-of-the-art, newly renovated space that will ultimately provide a better experience for our patients and better serve the community. When complete, the tower will stand six stories with a basement level. Aside from new patient and staff areas, the new tower will include a retail pharmacy, café and resource center for patients and visitors.