Inova officially broke ground on its new hospital, a part of the WestEnd Alexandria development. This marks a significant milestone for Inova, the City of Alexandria, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) in the redevelopment of a major piece of land in the western portion of Alexandria. The ceremony, held September 30, 2024 at the site of the former Landmark Mall, reflects the shared dedication to enhancing medical services and access as Alexandria and the surrounding region continue to grow.
A Historic Day for Inova
Dignitaries, including former Mayor Justin Wilson, City Council members, and Inova Health leaders, attended the event to break ground ceremonially in the West End. The new facility will replace the existing hospital on Seminary Road and will expand on current services to include the state-of-the-art Inova Schar Cancer Center, as well as medical office buildings and specialty clinics, all located within the forthcoming WestEnd town center.
Continuing a Legacy of Care
Rina Bansal, MD, MBA, president of Inova Alexandria Hospital, remarked on the hospital’s 151-year legacy in Alexandria, stating that the new campus will become the eastern region’s hub for complex care. The 192-bed community hospital will feature all private rooms, an expanded emergency room, trauma services, and advanced cardiovascular services. “This new facility will not only meet the needs of our growing community but will enhance our key members’ ability to deliver care through advanced technologies and expand our services,” said Dr. Bansal.
A Catalyst for Economic Development
Following that successful groundbreaking, in November Inova unveiled the Inova Health Center – Oakville in Potomac Yard. Together, the West End campus and the Oakville facility mark the beginning of a new era in healthcare for the City. The Health Center features a 24/7 emergency department, outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, and a full range of specialty services.
At the September groundbreaking, then-Mayor Wilson emphasized the project’s dual impact on Alexandria: “This is not just a major health initiative; it is also an incredible economic development initiative for the City.” AEDP collaborated with the City of Alexandria to incentivize Inova’s $1 billion construction of the new hospital, launching the redevelopment of the 52-acre site now known as WestEnd Alexandria. The project will enhance healthcare access and bring over 2,000 healthcare workers to the area, transforming the former mall into a mixed-use urban village with residential, retail, and entertainment options, as well as parks and a new fire station.
“If you look around, you can see how important this site will be for the future. It’s not just about building an amazing hospital with incredible architecture, development, and sustainability–everything that we expect to provide world-class services to the community–but also about serving as a catalyst for economic development,” said Mayor Wilson. Paired with the Oakville Health Center, the two facilities ensure patients across the region have greater access to world-class healthcare close to home.
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Photos courtesy of Inova Health.