The funds allocated to modernize the aging infrastructure at SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital likely won’t cover a complete renovation of the building without changing some services, new cost estimates show.
State officials are waiting on a nine-member advisory board to devise a plan to revamp the East Flatbush safety-net hospital by June 1. The board has held community hearings and evaluated research around how to improve the hospital’s physical infrastructure and stay above water financially. But Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $750 million allocation may not be enough to cover any of the proposals that the board is weighing.
A brand new hospital building with 250 beds, private rooms and expanded services could run the state between $2.2 billion and $2.7 billion, according to a state presentation on the future of SUNY Downstate at a public hearing Thursday. The price of a brand new hospital could jump to $3.2 billion once the state factors in new equipment, according to the cost estimates, which were compiled by a series of consulting groups.
SUNY Chancellor John King told Crain’s that building a new hospital in 2025 was “never feasible” with $750 million.
“Even to do a renovation of the current building and provide the exact same services would exceed the $750 [million],” King said. “But the distance is not as far.”
The cost of fully renovating the hospital to preserve 220 beds and maintain its current mix of inpatient and outpatient services would total $837 million, and up to $988 million considering equipment costs, according to the estimate.
Building an ambulatory care center could run the state less money. A new ambulatory care center with 10 operating beds could cost up to $785 million, while a smaller center with under 10 beds and few specialty services might cost between $300 million to $680 million. Once adding in equipment costs, however, none of the proposals put forth stayed within the state’s $750 million limit.
Any renovation to the hospital has to start with upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems — costing $250 million before the state can focus on upgrading services or health programs, according to the findings.
SUNY Downstate staved off a potential closure last year after local lawmakers and community advocates criticized the state for trying to close inpatient services at the hospital, which they said would erode health services in central Brooklyn. The state has since changed its position on closing inpatient care, but the cost estimates show that more capital may be needed to revamp the hospital’s infrastructure.
State lawmakers are pushing to increase the funding allocated to revamp SUNY Downstate. The Senate and Assembly both included an additional $250 million for capital costs in their one-house budget bills released last week.
