Winter Park Memorial Hospital hopes to start construction at the beginning of 2016 on a major expansion. The $90 million expansion would double the emergency room and add a five-story, 160-bed tower.

If all goes according to plan, the hospital would add 26 bays to its ER by the end of 2016 and open the new tower by the end of 2017. Hospital Administrator Ken Bradley says the hospital is looking to build now because the community is growing: In particular, senior citizens.

“We’re living longer, which is a wonderful trend, but as our community and as our citizens age, their need for health care services in some cases go up exponentially," Bradley said.

The hospital already has a senior ER, and plans to tailor more programs for the elderly. The public will have the chance to comment on the plans August 4 and August 28.

Check here for more on those meetings.

Winter Park Memorial Hospital is planning a major expansion. New plans call for a five-story tower with 160 patient beds.

The hospital will also renovate and expand its emergency room, and add a new lobby and patient entrance. Winter Park residents will have two chances to comment on the major hospital expansion.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing August 4, and the City Commission will vote on the plans August 24. Check here to read the city-wide public notice that went out to residents.

“The city commission could say yes, we approve this, contingent on different things, they could approve it as recommended by the planning board, or they could deny it," said Winter Park Spokeswoman Clarissa Howard.

Winter Park officials approved the hospital’s plans on paper in 2004.

[caption id="attachment_50836" align="alignnone" width="400"] They plan to add 160 hospital beds in a five-story tower, and add to the ER.[/caption]