Bonner General seeks OK for aerial bridge

SANDPOINT — Bonner General Hospital and its planned medical office expansion could be united by a bridge in the sky.

Sheryl Rickard, Bonner General Hospital CEO, approached council members Wednesday night to seek permission for an aerial bridge spanning diagonally across the corners of Alder Street and Third Avenue. The closed structure will serve as a walkway between the primary hospital facility and its upcoming expansion, which will serve primarily as an office complex. The new medical office expansion will rest in the northeast corner of the lot purchased from the Parker Taylor auto dealership in 2011. Around two-thirds of the remaining real estate will be used for parking space.

Council members were largely supportive of the request and instructed city staff to assist hospital officials in identifying the appropriate allowances. The only hesitation some members expressed was the notion of a parking lot along the Cedar Street frontage. However, both city officials and project planners expressed a willingness to cooperate. At this point, no easement or aerial use agreement has been granted, but staff are working on preparing the measure for a future council decision.

“The hospital is the biggest employer downtown, and I think increasing the level of care to the city and county is a great idea,” Councilman Aaron Qualls said.

According to Rickard, hospital officials were drawn to the idea of an aerial bridge for a variety of reasons. Given its enclosed nature, it will allow doctors and other hospital staff to quickly and efficiently travel between buildings without exposing themselves to the weather. Furthermore, very sick patients would not need to be taken outside while transporting them between buildings. In addition, the bridge will help establish a brand and identity for Bonner General Hospital by creating a campus-style atmosphere. The bridge is expected to be about 80 feet long, 14 feet wide and have a clearance height between 14 and 16 feet.  

As for the medical office expansion itself, project planners expect it will be a three-story building around 47,000 square feet in size. The exterior will be made out of brick and reflected glass. In addition to office space, several programs will move to the new building in order to free up space in the hospital itself.

Rickard said the project offered several advantages to the city. Since the additional space will allow the hospital to add new specialists to its staff, it will increase the tax base with permanent health care jobs. In the short term, it will also bring significant construction work into the region. Overall health care will improve, and thanks to the location, downtown vibrancy will increase as people grab lunch or shop around the region.