By: Chad Kim
UC Irvine plans to construct an on-campus hospital at the north-west side of campus near Jamboree Rd and Campus Dr.
UC Irvine campus is broken down into five sectors including the North Campus of which includes the planned new hospital:
Looking closer at the North Campus sector, the project site is near Jamboree Rd to the west and the San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh to the east.
Now looking at the adjacent uses abutting the planned project site. To the right (north) there are UCI Facilities (bottom right portion would be used as a temporary parking lot area), and the UCI Arboretum (portion of the area would be used for temporary laydown area). To the top (west) is the planned UCI Center for Child Health/Medical Office Building Project. To the bottom (east) is the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve and at the bottom there would be a 150 feet wetlands buffer zone between the marsh and the medical complex. Finally, to the left (south) is undeveloped land.
The existing uses at the project site is mainly not developed, but to the right (north) there is a part of the UCI Support Service Facilities. To make way for the project, facilities such as existing storage containers, storage sheds, and trailers would be removed. Additionally, existing site infrastructure would also be removed.
The University believes a new hospital complex is needed due to the anticipated increase in demand for health services, as well as, growth in its health academic programs. Projected growth in Orange County's population is 3.5 million people by 2023. The highest growth rate occurs in the City of Irvine. Additionally, the older adult group (65 years or older) is growing faster.
Here is the vision for this new medical complex, "...the development of a healthcare complex that positions UCI Health for the future; a facility with a specialty focus on oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spine service that serves the needs of the community in a modern, efficient, and accessible manner while building upon UCI's clinical foundation and reputation in these key specialty areas.".
The table below shows a summary of the type of uses:
According to a
UC Irvine press release, the project took a large step forward with the approval from the University of California Board of Regents. Anticipated completion of the hospital is in 2025.
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