Construction moves forward on South Central Hospital as bill advances and a groundbreaking is planned

The South Central Hospital advisory panel heard progress reports on construction and related state actions, including site grading, utility connections and pending approvals, and an update on House Bill 2365, which names the hospital and establishes its catchment area.

Panel chair Scott called facilities director Adam Crocker to give the construction update. "The work's being completed in the areas of grading, within the building pad area as well as starting to grade and cut the parking lots and the loading dock areas," Crocker said. He added crews were "continu[ing] daily monitoring on that ground level settlement plates, to ensure the proper levels are settling before the work continues." Crocker said crews are prioritizing stabilizing ground‑level grades so they can begin foundation work.

The panel was told approvals are still needed from the Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment before vertical construction proceeds. Utility providers named in the presentation were: electric (Air Energy Energy, as stated), gas (Kansas Gas Service), internet (Cox Communication), water and sewer (City of Wichita). Crocker said a commissioning‑agent request for proposals is on a schedule with bids read around Feb. 25.

County representative Andrew said the county is monitoring settlement plates and expects another measurement soon; if plates meet tolerances the project can move to the vertical structure phase. Scott said the site has a crushed‑rock equipment pad and a building trailer in place and noted work on a north retention area adjacent to the site.

On policy and schedule, Scott briefed the panel about legislation and an upcoming ceremony. "We did introduce our bill that creates that hospital, names it, creates the catchment area, and also sets it up so that we can admit patients for care and treatment cases and for forensic cases. That's House Bill 2365," Scott said. He reported that the bill had a House hearing and passed out of the House by a reported 21‑3 vote and was awaiting action in the Senate; he said the Senate had not raised objections at the time of the briefing.

Scott said the project team is planning a hybrid groundbreaking to recognize that construction has already started; the governor's office was reviewing an April 9 midday date and invitations will follow once the date and time are finalized.

Votes at a glance: the panel approved the Jan. 17 minutes with a correction to update Latasha's title; the meeting adjournment was moved by Mary and seconded by Latasha and carried without objection.

The panel will meet in March as its last scheduled meeting before the advisory group's charge expires; Scott said the March meeting may be in person and will include construction and legislative updates.