Río Piedras Medical Center plaza to undergo $10 million upgrade
By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia, along with Health Secretary Carlos Mellado López and Medical Services Administration (ASEM by its initials in Spanish) Jorge Matta González, announced on Tuesday the beginning of remodeling work on the Medical Center (Centro Médico) plaza in Río Piedras, with an investment of close to $10 million.
“My administration is committed to the well-being of our people, especially in the health sector,” the governor said at a press conference. “This remodeling will not only improve the aesthetics of the Medical Center, but will transform the space into a medical emergency response center, with the necessary equipment to handle crisis situations more efficiently.”
The redesign of the plaza will include generators, electrical connections, sanitary and drinking water systems, as well as internet infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of mobile units or tents during catastrophes. The project is in response to the need identified after Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mellado stressed the importance of increasing emergency response capacity and improving the facilities.
“We have invested millions in remodeling and equipment to offer better service to our patients,” the Health secretary said.
The remodeling, which is expected to be completed in 18 months, will also include green areas, pedestrian paths, outdoor furniture and spaces for the sale of food, aimed at improving the experience of those who go to the Medical Center.
It is great to see a focus on both emergency preparedness and creating welcoming public spaces. It reminds me of my own renovation experience where updating infrastructure made a huge difference in functionality. I was unsure where to start but I found a team that guided me through every step. If you are planning a similar project, https://ecosremodeling.com/ is a great place to find the right help and expertise.