JPS Network in Tarrant County announces first bid packages in $800 million expansion

JPS Health Network announced Monday afternoon that it is seeking two bids related to a $800 million expansion approved by voters in 2018.

The hospital network has released packages for design build services for a clinic in an undetermined location and a parking deck on the hospital system’s main campus, according to statement.

The statement did not detail how much money would be spent, and a spokesperson for JPS was not immediately available for comment.

“This is the first of what will be many steps along our journey to reimagine healthcare in Tarrant County through the revitalization of the JPS Health Network and our main campus,” Karen Duncan, the hospital system’s incoming president and CEO said in the statement. “Releasing these bid packages to our community of potential contract service providers helps us begin building our team of partners who will design and construct our new facilities, and we expect great community involvement as we look to turn our vision into reality.”

The bond was passed by voters in 2018, though it’s been slow to get off the ground. Outgoing president and CEO Robert Earley told the Star-Telegram in October construction has yet to start and that officials were seeking alternate means of funding the project.

Earley at the time said he did not know whether the cost of construction would be more than what’s allotted in the bond. The expansion is estimated to cost $1.2 billion.

Other bid packages that will open early next year include temporary surface parking, contracts for infrastructure needs, and pavilion upgrades to a nurse call system, fire alarm system and building control system, according to the statement.

The projects constructed through the bond package are anticipated to serve Tarrant County residents for the next 50 years, according to the statement.