Huntington Memorial Hospital Plans to Implement 15-Year Seismic Upgrade Project

Pasadena’s Huntington Memorial Hospital will be undergoing major structural renovation to make it conform to state law governing the seismic safety of hospital facilities.

The project could take 15 years to complete, with completion anticipated by 2032, according to the Master Plan Amendment.

The hospital has submitted a Master Plan Amendment to the City’s Planning Commission containing the required seismic upgrades.

The proposed project is an eight-phase Master Plan that would allow new construction totaling about 217,300 square feet and the demolition of existing buildings totaling 250,076 square feet, resulting in a net reduction of 32,776 square feet at build-out.

 

The proposed Master Plan Amendment will also revise the Master Plan boundary and change the zoning of 620-624 South Pasadena Avenue from Commercial Office to Public, Semi-Public.

Under the project, vehicle access to the hospital campus would remain unchanged from existing conditions. New landscaped areas, pedestrian corridors, and green space at the center of the campus would be created as part of the project.

Designed as a pedestrian-oriented outdoor courtyard and garden that would serve as a gathering space and respite area for visitors, patients, and employees, the green space would include numerous terraces and gatherings areas, a rose garden, children’s garden, a fountain/water feature, and extensive pedestrian walkways.

A Planning Commission staff report said other improvements in the project will include renovation of the existing East Tower, adding new operating rooms and laboratories; interior remodeling of the La Vina Building, 17 more hospital beds to raise the total to 642; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and data utility infrastructure improvements; new emergency power upgrades to East Tower, East Tower Annex, and La Vina Building; and improved lighting and signage throughout campus.

The Planning Commission said a Final Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for the project.

California passed the Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act in 1994 following the Northridge Earthquake, which caused extensive damage to hospitals and medical facilities throughout Los Angeles and forced the closure of 11.

The bill requires all hospitals to be in compliance with the state’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s standards, stressing the principle that hospitals must remain standing and functional during and after an earthquake for the safety of patients and staff, and to provide medical assistance to earthquake victims.

The bill originally required facilities to be in compliance by 2008, but legislation subsequently extended that deadline to 2020.

The Huntington Hospital project will be discussed in upcoming meetings of the Pasadena Planning Commission in January, before it is passed on to the City Council for approval.