By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LAWRENCEBURG - Expecting years of growth in and around Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County Hospital has launched a $38 million expansion plan.

Construction could begin in 2008 for a five-level, 190-space parking garage. In 2009, a two-year effort to build a three-level patient tower would begin. The tower would include 62 private rooms, with the building constructed so another two floors containing 48 rooms could be built later.

The project "signifies the hospital's commitment to keeping pace with the needs of our growing region," said hospital trustee Ronald Denney.

The hospital tower will include additional operating rooms on the first floor. The 364-square-foot patient rooms will offer more space and private bathrooms.

"In addition to excellent clinical care, it's important that patients have comfortable and attractive rooms during their stay," said Roger Howard, director of clinical services. "All of the rooms will overlook either Bielby Road and the surrounding skyline or the roof of the hospital, which will be landscaped with a rooftop garden to offer a more pleasant view."

This spring, other smaller renovations are planned. A $3.4 million project to build a 12-room subacute care unit is expected to be complete by early 2005. Meanwhile, a 7,000-square-foot addition, costing $378,000, to be complete this summer will provide space for the credit union plus storage for supplies and medical records.

Eventually, the hospital plans to build a 115-unit senior housing community across from the hospital campus.

The hospital expansions - plus other building projects - will transform the top of Ludlow Hill, officials said.

"We're far from alone up here and we expect many neighbors in the next few years," said Peter Resnick, the hospital's executive director.

E-mail tbonfield@enquirer.com