Members of the public can check out the other half of the proposed new IU Health Starke Hospital this week. Workers have set up a scale model of the second half of the project at the former Freeman Products building at the corner of 300 East and Culver Road in Knox. Guided tours of the model, which has been dubbed “cardboard city” will be available from 4 until 6 p.m. today and Thursday. This part of the project features pharmacy, administration, registration, medical/surgical units and therapy services.
IU Health officials say the model helps stakeholders fully understand the space so they can create a hospital that will best meet the needs of patients, caregivers and the entire community. Suggestions offered during last month’s tour of the first phase have been incorporated into the project design. “Cardboard city” is being constructed in two phases due to limited warehouse space.
The new building will be located between the existing hospital and the medical office buildings. Once it is done, plans call for the demolition of the current hospital building in order to accommodate parking.
