Aurora Health Care is planning to spend $35 million to expand its psychiatric hospital in Wauwatosa.
Plans call for renovation and enhancement of services at the Aurora Psychiatric Hospital, 1220 Dewey Ave., and the building of a new parking structure to help alleviate on-street parking congestion.
Aurora is also planning to replace the aging residential substance abuse and rehabilitation facility, the Dewey Center, to increase patient capacity and consolidate the substance abuse treatment programming that is currently spread throughout the campus.
Aurora is planning to renovate existing buildings on campus and upgrade deteriorating, inefficient building systems and mechanical infrastructure to help ensure future longevity. Aurora is also planning to replace its current Alumni House with a new facility. The building serves as a short-term sober living facility for up to eight people at any given time.
The Aurora Psychiatric hospital has been in the community for more than 133 years, said Pete Carlson, president of Aurora Psychiatric Hospital and Behavioral Health Services.
“Aurora is excited to make this investment in Wauwatosa and to increase access to much-needed behavioral health services and substance abuse treatment in southeastern Wisconsin,” Carlson said in a written statement. “As a leading Wisconsin behavioral health provider with a full continuum of behavioral health care, we fully recognize the importance of being able to meet the community’s growing demand for care and help those who need our services.”
Pending approvals, the expansion and enhancement project is slated to start early next year, and is expected to be completed by early 2018.
