Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200
Sat October 14, 2000 - Midwest Edition
Feasibility market studies of the region indicated that East Grand Forks would be a perfect location for a primary care clinic and a pharmacy.
East Grand Forks, MN, a community of about 8,600 is directly across from the Red River in Grand Forks, ND, a community of about 50,000, that is home to a hospital and several clinics.
“There was a very noticeable lack of primary care providers in East Grand Forks. We’re impressed with the work the city of East Grand Forks is doing after the flood [of 1997] and believed it would be a good location,” said Don Marty, head of facilities at MeritCare in Fargo, ND. MeritCare is a primary care provider with a hospital and several clinics in Fargo, ND, and area communities.
The new 30,000-sq.-ft. (2,787 sq m) building, however, is actually owned by Sterling Development of Moorhead, MN, from which MeritCare and PRACS Institute Ltd., will lease space. PRACS Institute Ltd., is a research institute, with its main location in Fargo.
The building is located in the city’s business district on Demers Avenue, in downtown East Grand Forks. Demers Avenue continues across the Red River and into Grand Forks. Both cities lost several buildings in their downtown business districts during the flood of 1997.
“One thing the city of East Grand Forks did instead of keeping Demers Avenue going straight, it included a curve in the road, which makes it interesting when driving down the street because you see things in a different perspective,” said Larry Carcoana, project architect with Mutchler Bartram Architects P.C., in Fargo. “Instead of seeing a horizon on the end you see one building after another so it is a more dynamic experience.”
Construction of the building was completed this summer, having been on a fast-track schedule since the foundation was poured late last fall, Carcoana said. “In today’s market, I think fast tracking is a convenient way to go because it saves money in the long run.”
The project remained on schedule and on budget throughout the construction process, he added, costing between $2 and $2.5 million.
Supporting the wood structure are concrete footings and a concrete slab on grade. Brick on the lower half of the outside with wood shingles on the upper half, add character to the building, Carcoana explained. “The style is reminiscent of arts and crafts. It is more of a crafty look, similar to the bungalows of the 1930s.”
The style was chosen because the developer was trying to avoid the typical boxy look of a building of this size, he added. Preliminary discussions between city planners, owners and architects indicated that since it is a large building they wanted a nice impact on that area of East Grand Forks. “How else can you do that and get away from the typical boxy look that commercial buildings have? The look is probably more visible in the two entrance canopies. They have an exposed wooden arch that makes the entrance very inviting,” he said.
The interior of the building consists of drywall with vinyl wall covering and paint, Carcoana said. “A lot of attention was given to interior materials and colors, which are very warm and inviting, again adding a higher level of comfort, which is the trend in medical facilities.”
Particular attention was paid to air quality since the building houses two medical businesses. “The heating and cooling of the building is accomplished through a top-of-the-line heat pump system, which is very efficient,” Carcoana noted. “It creates cleaner air because air filters are used. This is especially important for MeritCare, which is mandated to meet standards for air quality.”
The same heating and cooling system was used on the PRACS side of the building. “It was easier than switching heating systems from one side of the building to the other,” he added. “Each tenant has the capability to control the temperature almost room by room.” With the heat pump there are lots in each area, rather than a central system that sends air to all areas, which is more efficient and more convenient, he explained.
Privacy issues are a concern in a clinic so all interior walls are insulated, as well as the exterior walls, Carcoana said.
From the electrical point of view, the entire building is wired for the computer age. Each room has computer capabilities. Also, MeritCare has digital technology in the X-ray room so X-rays can be sent via T1 phone line to the main hospital in Fargo, or to wherever they want, Carcoana said.
Marty added that the more complicated lab procedures will be sent to Fargo and the results will be returned to East Grand Forks via T1 lines. “This is relatively new for MeritCare. The routine lab work will be done on site in East Grand Forks,” he said.
Patient records also will be stored digitally so less paper storage will be needed with new records. Any existing records from another MeritCare facility will remain on paper, Marty explained.
A grand opening was held in late summer and only compliments were received from citizens and from city officials because an ongoing effort is being made to make East Grand Forks reconstruction yield only nice looking buildings. “This new one was very welcomed by city officials,” Carcoana said.