BROWNSVILLE, TX – The City of Brownsville and DHR Health Brownsville have enteredinto a Chapter 380 Grant Agreement to add approximately 14,000 square feet to the City’s newest hospital, enhance medical services in the Emergency Room, Radiology Department, Catheterization Lab, add surgical suites, high-paying jobs and more.
The Agreement comes as City leaders continue to support and collaborate with local businesses to nurture economic development, create more employment opportunities, and elevate the quality of life for residents through more options in healthcare. Collaboratively, DHR Health will invest $17,297,000 in the expansion, as it continues to invest in Brownsville. The health system is ready to further create new access points for specialty care, emergency services, and surgical excellence for local residents.
“This partnership is proof that great things happen when we all come together in the best interest of our community. We are thankful that we will be able to further increase access to specialty healthcare services and elevate patient care. Our commitment will always be to continue to work together to strengthen the health of our community,” said Dr. Carlos J. Cardenas, DHR Health Chairman of the Board.
“When we launched DHR Health Brownsville, our goal was to bring high-quality healthcare closer to home for the people of Brownsville,” said Aida Coronado-Garcia, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, DHR Health Brownsville. “This expansion represents the next step in that mission. It gives our physicians, nurses, and staff the resources they need to deliver exceptional care and respond to the growing needs of this community.”
“The DHR Brownsville expansion strengthens our healthcare services in our City and gives our healthcare professionals the opportunity to better serve patients with compassion and efficiency,” said John Cowen, Jr., Brownsville City Mayor. “The expansion of DHR Health Brownsville directly supports our vision for a healthier, more resilient community, while creating good jobs and supporting sustainable growth through our community.”
The expansion, which totals approximately 14,000 square feet, will add six (6) new ER bays, expand the ER waiting area, add six (6) new surgical suites, include additional equipment to open two cardiac catheterization labs, the installation of a new Siemens 1.5T MRI machine, a new Dual Source CT scanner, and expansion of radiology services on the South side of the hospital. It will also create 20 new full-time jobs in the Brownsville healthcare market, providing opportunities for medical professionals and support staff while expanding the hospital’s capacity to serve more patients when needed.
Of the added square footage, 9,200 square feet will be new construction, and 4,800 square feet will be remodeled space, including critical patient care areas. The hospital project will also see the expansion of the driveway at the ER entrance. The completion of a full driveway loop around the hospital to improve traffic flow and emergency access. More than 34,000 square feet of new landscaped areas which are designed to enhance the campus environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
“This project embodies the City’s commitment to aligning strategic zoning and publicprivate partnerships that benefit our residents,” said Helen Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AICP. “Brownsville is strengthening its place in the health sector with the recent adoption of a Medical Overlay Zone.”
The hospital expansion is expected to begin construction as soon as all necessary permits are approved. It is expected to be completed within two-years. Under the Chapter 380 Grant Agreement of the Texas Local Government Code, the City of Brownsville can offer incentives and grants to encourage private investment that supports community and economic development goals. The City will incentivize DHR Brownsville with $2,000,000.
News media inquiries may be directed to the City of Brownsville’s Communications and Marketing Department at [email protected] or at (956) 556-1811.
