San Antonio-based University Health System is moving forward with its $452 million hospital expansion, which includes building a 302-bed tower.
The project, which moved into the design phase Aug. 21, calls for the construction of a women and children's tower as well as a new heart and vascular endoscopy center in the hospital's existing Sky Tower.
The hospital board also approved the health system's plan to seek designation as a level 4 maternal care program, the highest level of maternity care.
Once the design phase is complete, the first of three construction phases will begin. In the first phase, University Health System plans to build the heart and vascular center and begin construction of its parking garage.
Phase two is demolishing the north visitor's parking garage. The third phase is the women and children's tower and the second half of the parking garage. The tower will house 179 beds to start, a 24-bassinet nursery, three heart catheterization labs and shell space for 123 beds.
The expansion will be funded by the sale of certificates of obligation and capital reserves.