Drivers who take Second Street through Danville have probably noticed the work that is being done to the former Kentucky School for the Deaf property that is now owned by Ephraim McDowell Health (EMH). The development of that property is all part of a Master Facility Plan to modernize and expand the Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) campus.

The Master Facility Plan project is anticipated to be a $120 million investment that will directly improve the access to care for individuals in Boyle and the surrounding counties who utilize EMRMC’s services.

The project will involve the expansion of the emergency department, along with the creation of a three-story tower that will allow for expanding clinical services and the relocation of the helipad to be on campus. The Behavioral Health Unit will also be relocating for this project, which allows for expansion and renovated space. In addition, the project will result in a new front entrance for the hospital. It will be coupled with additional on-campus parking, allowing for a better experience for patients, visitors and Associates of EMRMC.

“We are excited to begin this project, which will greatly enhance the services the Medical Center provides while also being beneficial to the downtown Danville community,” said Daniel McKay, president and chief executive officer of Ephraim McDowell Health.

The project is a multi-year process that involves a variety of small and large projects, with all projects expected to be completed in 2028.

The first step of the project is to improve parking on the EMRMC campus. A brick building that sat behind the Ephraim McDowell Heart & Vascular Institute across the street from the Medical Center was demolished in the spring. It allows for the expansion of that parking lot, which will be repaved and is anticipated to be completed in November.

At the same time, the 3.5-acre property on the former KSD property is being expanded and developed to provide over 200 parking spaces that patients and visitors will use during the expansion of the Medical Center. The KSD parking lot is expected to be completed in December.

In addition, a renovation of the fifth floor at the Medical Center is now under way to provide for the relocation of the Behavioral Health Unit, which currently occupies the fourth floor of what is known as the North Building (the oldest part of the Medical Center located near the intersection of Third and Walnut streets). That project is expected to be completed in June 2025.

“With our Master Facility Plan, we are growing our services while also strengthening our presence in the downtown community,” McKay said.