Henrico supervisors green-light St. Mary's hospital expansion

The Henrico Board of Supervisors approved the expansion of Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, at the corner of Libbie and Monument avenues May 13. This clears the facility to build a new, eight-story building, ranging from 100 to 158 feet tall, between the north and south towers of the existing building, which faces Bremo Road. The helipad will be moved from the parking lot to the top of this new building.

In response to citizen questions, St. Mary’s Chief Operating Officer Bridget Fitzpatrick explained that the facility had 180 helicopter flights in 2024 and didn’t expect any increases since the new facility would not have more beds than the existing one.

Much of the expansion will be used by new operating spaces or in allowing patients to have private rooms instead of sharing them. She also noted that moving the helipad would reduce the noise level and be safer by reducing the risk to traffic.

Next, the board passed an ordinance allowing the county manager to provide bonuses to county employees starting July 1. The county had provided bonuses in past years and still provides bonuses to school system employees but had not given bonuses to other county employees in several years, choosing to focus on pay increases instead.

“As we speak tonight, there is no plan or number that we have in mind, we just like to have this tool in our toolkit,” said County Manager John Vithoulkas.

Additionally, the board approved $1.4 million in contracts:

• $1.1 million to American Asphalt Surface Recycling Inc. for one year of surface asphalt recycling services throughout the county. The company was the sole bidder, and the contract can be extended for two additional yearlong terms.

• $229K to Lighting Maintenance Inc. for installing 15 solar lights and two fixtures and poles for the Capital Trail at the Rocketts Landing project.