Plans for new Eisenhower cardiovascular center approved by Rancho Mirage City Council
Plans for a new cardiovascular center at Eisenhower Health gained approval from the Rancho Mirage City Council last week, clearing a regulatory hurdle for the $156 million facility that will more than double the hospital’s current space for such medical services.
The council unanimously approved plans Thursday for a four-story outpatient cardiology ambulatory center to replace the existing one-story building, which will be demolished. The new Eisenhower Cardiovasular Center will also include a later expansion of an inpatient pavilion, along with the Renker Wellness Center, which opened this year.
Why it matters
Hospital officials say the new 128,000-square foot facility will allow them to keep up with the growing demand for cardiovascular health care in the valley. At its existing center, which hasn't been updated in 20 years, Eisenhower Health sees more than 130,000 patients for such services each year, according to a city staff report.
The project will be done in two phases, first with the construction of the larger four-story building and parking area. The second phase will include construction of an adjacent three-story building that will feature an underground parking lot underneath.
The Rancho Mirage hospital launched a $256 million capital campaign in November 2021, with most of the donor money earmarked for the new cardiovascular institute. While they did not provide a construction timeline during the council meeting Thursday, Eisenhower officials previously told The Desert Sun they hope to complete the facility by late 2025.
What city officials said
The project was largely cheered by members of the city council during their meeting Thursday. Member Ted Weill, who noted Eisenhower is the largest employer in Rancho Mirage, described a “growing need” for services with more people living in the city year-round.
Mayor Richard Kite agreed, calling the new project “one of the best” that Eisenhower Health has done since first opening in the valley in 1971.
During the public hearing, resident Shannon Palmer, who lives in Rancho Mirage Country Club just north of the hospital campus, briefly discussed his concerns about excessive noise from the facility, particularly the chiller plant. He thanked the city and hospital for taking some steps to address his concerns, then asked them to consider adding a wall and landscaping on the south side of MacMillan Way.
In response, the council directed city staff to continue working with Eisenhower officials to find ways to reduce the site’s decibel levels during and after construction. The plans were approved by a 4-0 council vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Steve Downs excused.
Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Rancho Mirage's Eisenhower cardiovascular center approved
