By Edmond Ortiz
Methodist Healthcare has started a $200 million expansion and renovation project of Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, and now local artists may help to touch up the exterior look of the near-downtown hospital.
What you should know
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Sept. 29 at the Tobin Hill neighborhood hospital to launch the project, which Methodist Healthcare officials said will help to enhance healthcare services as the annual number of patients seen rises.
The project at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan will include an additional two floors atop the existing women’s pavilion, resulting in 42 new medical/surgical beds and 16 ICU beds.
There will also be a new parking garage with 969 spaces, and the construction of three operating rooms, including a hybrid operating room that combines the traditional capabilities of a conventional OR with advanced imaging technology.
Also of note
While Methodist Healthcare rolls out this expansion and improvement program at its downtown-adjacent hospital, the downtown advocacy organization Centro San Antonio has issued an open call for local artists to submit mural proposals to adorn the exterior of the new parking garage.
According to Centro San Antonio officials, the envisioned series of three murals – collectively called “Avenue of Light – will reflect the “the spirit of healing through the hospital’s commitment to the community for over 50 years.”
Methodist Healthcare officials said the new murals will add to the existing collection of local art works that are located in and around Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, including Luis Lopez’s 30-foot aluminum sculpture “Modern Tribe,” and Jenelle Esparza’s glazed stoneware piece “Hearts That Flow Like Rivers.”
Interested artists have until Nov. 30 to submit their qualifications for consideration as part of this art mural project.
What they’re saying
Greg Seiler, CEO of Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, saying the expansion and improvement of the hospital is needed to help better serve a growing population.
“We’ve responded with expansions, innovations, and investments in technology and services. And today, we take another bold step forward,” Seiler said in a statement.
Centro San Antonio President Trish DeBerry said the hospital project is a chance to integrate public art with healthcare service.
“Healthcare, art, and community can go hand in hand. This is a large-scale opportunity for a local artist to showcase their work, unlike any other in downtown San Antonio,” DeBerry said in a statement.
