A $42 million renovation of the Providence Heart Institute is expected to begin this year.

An architectural-design group and general contractor haven't been selected yet, says Allie Hyams, senior manager of communication for Providence Inland Northwest Washington, in an email.

Once completed, the 30-year-old health care center, located at 62 W. Seventh, will be able to serve 15% to 20% more patients, the Journal of Business previously reported. The Heart Institute currently cares for an estimated 60,000 patients per year, which means it will have the potential to serve 9,000 to 12,000 additional patients, following renovations.

“The goal is we will have more treatment space, more exam space for our patients, which is going to allow us to take the current increased volume of patients who need care, and then that projected future volume of patients who will need care,” Michael Pirkle, executive director of the institute, told the Journal in December.

The renovation project will be completed in two phases, each of which is expected to take about 24 months.

The first phase will include a refresh of the exterior building.

A covered walkway will be constructed over the north entrance of the building, creating easier access for patients and caregivers.

The first phase also will include renovation of the first floor, including the first-floor clinic. A more centralized welcome area for patients also will be created.

A “sacred space” is also being added, Colleen Fox, chief philanthropy officer, told the Journal in December.

“On the first two floors, we’re adding ... a reflective space for patients and caregivers to utilize when they may have had a difficult conversation or just need some place to step away,” Fox says.

A new, modern pediatric catheterization lab also will be created in the first phase.

The second phase will involve consolidating clinic suites on the upper floors of the building.

Planning for the renovation project began years ago, Fox says.

The Providence Inland Northwest Foundation began planning a fundraising campaign in 2020 but had to pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation hopes to raise $10 million to put toward the project—it already has raised $8.5 million of that amount—while the remaining $32 million will be funded by Providence.

About 300 people work at the Heart Institute.

—Dylan Harris