Healthcare Campus Project Back on Track
9/3/2020

Trinity Health Selects JE Dunn Construction to Complete Regional Healthcare Campus
1/6/2020

Trinity Health has selected JE Dunn Construction as the Construction Manager to complete the organization’s new healthcare campus and medical district in Minot, effective immediately.

“This campus embodies Trinity Health’s commitment to the health and well-being of our region, and its successful completion is a top priority,” said John Kutch, president and CEO of Trinity Health. “This business decision follows a series of challenges with our previous construction manager. We are not willing to compromise on this important project. Trinity Health looks forward to working with JE Dunn to successfully complete this regional state-of-the-art medical facility.”

JE Dunn’s North Dakota-based team will now work through a transition period to coordinate activities of all subcontractors and advance the project to completion. The company is nationally recognized for its healthcare work and was ranked as the nation’s third largest healthcare builder in 2019 by Modern Healthcare, a leading industry publication.

“Our team was impressed by JE Dunn’s industry expertise, along with their collaborative and innovative approach,” said Kutch. “We are confident they will help us bring our regional healthcare vision to life.”

Trinity Health’s new campus will provide the region with a 21^st century healthcare complex that offers a wide spectrum of advanced, patient-centered healthcare services. Also planned is a medical office building for hospital-based specialists and other patient- and family-friendly services and amenities.

New Trinity Health Campus Takes Shape
11/8/2019

Trinity Health’s new healthcare campus and medical district progresses as winter sets in, with roughly a third of the overall construction of the project complete.

Significant advancements were achieved this fall with the site’s utilities, foundation, superstructure, exterior envelope, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), and other activities. For example, first placement of asphaltic paving occurred on the perimeter road and main access road to the campus, including curb and gutter. The south parking area is paved, and sidewalk from the property to 37^th Avenue is placed. Preparation for paving the west portion of the site is underway.

Additional site and utility work includes installation of transformer pads and electric gear adjacent to the Central Energy Plant (CEP), and completion of site rough grading at the building perimeter. Installation of underground fuel tanks and distribution piping is near completion. The CEP is enclosed at this point.

Masonry and auger-cast piles are 100% complete, foundations are 95% complete, and backfill is 98% complete. Crews also completed the west Emergency Room access and parking structure, and have made progress on grade-level, subgrade, and raised parking. Structural steel is in place and the two tower cranes have been removed from the site, which is a visible change from the street view of the construction site. Roof work continues. All concrete is complete at the elevated floor decks in both the hospital and medical office building. Medical, electrical, and plumbing are progressing within the hospital, medical official building, and building connector.

The topping out of the medical office building–which signifies the placement of the final steel beam on top of the structure–was achieved in October. This followed the earlier topping out of the hospital building in July.

Randy Schwan, a Trinity Health Vice President, noted that despite events earlier in the year that delayed work around the project, officials are still targeting its completion in 2021. “Although our momentum was temporarily interrupted by the fire and other events earlier this year, we are encouraged with the forward movement of construction and how the campus is taking shape. The developing structure is impressive and signals the promise of a state-of-the-art facility that the people of this region can be proud of.”

Construction Progresses on New Trinity Health Campus
9/17/2019

Several milestones have been reached in the construction of Trinity Health’s new healthcare campus and medical district in southwest Minot, including a “topping out” ceremony on July 31, in which construction crews celebrated placement of the final steel beam on top of the structure.

Since fire broke out at the new campus on March 22, structural engineers, insurance investigators, and fire officials were involved in investigating and assessing the integrity of the structure.  Evaluation included visual inspections, infrared scanning and surveys, and non-destructive testing/laboratory evaluations of materials thought to be subjected to the fire and explosions.

Engineers with TRC Engineering thoroughly evaluated steel beams within the structure to determine which, if any, would be replaced.  Materials Evaluation and Engineering, Inc., conducted non-destructive testing on steel that appeared visibly unaffected.  All evaluation activities conformed to industry standards and were completed July 24, 2019.

Significant progress has been made during this phase of the project with the site’s utilities, foundation superstructure, exterior envelope masonry, and other activities.  For example, asphaltic system base course and binder for roads and parking lots have been installed, as have underground storm and sanitary structures.  Site grading is underway.  All exterior walls are complete within the central energy plant (CEP), and structural metal stud installation for the exterior wall system is currently taking place.

“While we are disappointed with the distractions of the fire and other construction-related events in recent months, Trinity Health is resolute in ensuring the completed project conforms to design and contract requirements,” said Randy Schwan, Vice President of Mission Integration at Trinity Health.  “We continue to assess and will respond with the best course of action to complete a state-of-the-art facility.  All of us at Trinity Health look forward to this healthcare campus and medical district serving Minot and the entire region for generations to come.”

Construction has Resumed
4/30/2019

Construction on Trinity Health’s new healthcare campus and medical district has resumed, effective Friday, April 26. While a portion of the site that was directly impacted by the fire is still restricted, construction activities will involve other facets of the project.

The Minot Fire Marshal had determined that the fire resulted from propane tanks reportedly leaking and eventually igniting. Structural engineers, insurance investigators, and fire officials were on site the week of April 15 assessing the situation. We expect extensive testing to be conducted on the steel structure in coming weeks. In the meantime, insurance investigators will continue to evaluate all factors in this event; a working plan and cost estimates will result from these assessments.

Trinity Health is grateful for the hard work and expertise contributed by each of these professionals during this investigation, so we can safely resume this important project. Until all assessments have been completed, Trinity Health is unable to predict the impact on the project’s timeline, but we expect to get more details in the coming weeks.

We are all excited and look forward to this state-of-the-art healthcare campus and medical district serving Minot and the entire region.

Brief Update on Construction Site
4/23/2019

The Fire Department has completed its report on the fires that occurred at the construction site. Trinity Health is reviewing the findings of the report at this time. We can’t speculate on any estimated timeline for resuming the project, as other investigations are still ongoing. However, we can say we are eager to move the project forward and we look forward to completing the new campus for our community and region.