MetroHealth Expanding Presence In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — MetroHealth is expanding its hospital campus in Cleveland Heights.

Cleveland Heights' planning commission and Board of Control approved a 100-bed, 79,000 square foot addition to the Severance Circle hospital on Wednesday. The addition will focus on behavioral health issues, according to city officials.

The $42 million project will add 155 jobs in the first year of the addition, with plans to expand to 225 jobs by year five. The approximate payroll for the hospital will be $15 million annually, adding $340,000 in tax revenue to the city on a yearly basis, city officials said.

“By making this critical investment at our Cleveland Heights campus, MetroHealth will be able to address one of our community’s biggest problems – the shortage of beds for acute mental health and addiction disease treatment. This expansion will enable us to give more patients the care they deserve, save lives and make our neighborhoods safer,” said MetroHealth CEO Dr. Akram Boutros.

MetroHealth opened its Cleveland Heights campus in February 2016. The hospital system has agreed to enhance its landscaping, plantings and tree coverage in response to concerns about the safety, noise and environment around the hospital.

“This opportunity will provide much needed services to our community while also improving our local economy”, said Jason Stein, president of Cleveland Heights City Council. “MetroHealth has been a good community partner and we are pleased that they decided to invest in Cleveland Heights. They have acted responsibly by seeking out and holding group and individual conversations with neighbors and concerned residents.”