Cleveland Clinic to Invest $1.3 Billion

A rendering of Cleveland Clinic’s new Neurological Institute.
A rendering of Cleveland Clinic’s new Neurological Institute.

Projects to serve communities and patients well into the future

By Terry Troy

It’s certainly no secret that the world renowned Cleveland Clinic is among the very best healthcare providers in the nation, if not the world. Just ask U.S. News & World Report, which regularly places the Clinic among the Top 3 hospitals in the nation. This year it was number 2.

Since its founding in 1921, Cleveland Clinic has seen tremendous growth in size and scope, serving more patients in a wider variety of specialties each year. But the Clinic is also an economic driver for the economy in and around Northeast Ohio, and is investing heavily in its Ohio facilities.

In his State of the Clinic address earlier this year, CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., announced that Cleveland Clinic would be investing $1.3 billion into capital projects, including the construction of new buildings and the renovation of facilities in Ohio as well as Florida and London.

Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, president and CEO

“Our services have never been in greater demand,” Dr. Mihaljevic said. “These projects reflect the needs of our organization and will ensure cutting-edge care for the next generation of patients. By building, partnering and innovating with technology, we are preparing current and future caregivers to deliver the best care.”

On main campus, Cleveland Clinic will build a 1-million-square-foot Neurological Institute building, expand the Cole Eye Institute building and significantly expand research facilities through its commitment to the Cleveland Innovation District. These projects will be supported in large part by philanthropy, and will add more than 2,000 direct and 7,500 indirect jobs that support families, neighborhoods and community life.

The Neurological Institute building will include inpatient and outpatient care, along with imaging and surgical services and research laboratories to investigate the function of the human brain and innovation labs to develop the neurological treatments of tomorrow. Currently, neurological services are located at several locations on main campus. This new facility will bring those caregivers and services together under one roof. This will enable collaboration between medical professionals and scientists to better serve patients, foster discovery and cures, and attract the next generation of caregivers.

A $10 million donation from the Charles L. Shor Foundation has supported design and planning of the building. In recognition of this gift, Cleveland Clinic is naming the epilepsy center The Charles Shor Epilepsy Center. Work on the project will begin this year with the first patient expected to be seen in 2026.

The new neurological building will be located on main campus between East 86th and East 90th streets. This includes the demolition of the “P” building (the surgery center at the corner of E. 90th Street and Carnegie Avenue) and the attached “PP” parking garage, as well as the “PL” building, (formerly the home of The Cleveland Play House). All operations in the P and PL buildings are being transitioned to other locations on main campus.

Once the old Cleveland Play House building is removed, this area will initially be used to support the building of the new neurological building where all equipment and vehicles will be contained on Cleveland Clinic property during construction. This will ensure that local residents have uninterrupted access to parking in their neighborhood during this time. Potential long-term plans for this portion of land include a new mixed-use neighborhood development project.

Across campus – on Euclid Avenue, between E 100th and E. 105th – expansion of the Cole Eye Institute building will add 150,000 square feet of new space, in addition to renovations on the existing space. The project will add additional operating rooms and procedure rooms.

Jeffrey A. Cole and his wife Patricia O’Brien Cole made a $31 million commitment for the expansion of Cole Eye’s clinical and surgical capabilities, as well as to enhance research and education. The expansion will be named the Jeffrey and Patricia Cole Building.

Additionally, a $10 million grant from the Timken Foundation of Canton helped support the Cole Eye expansion planning phase and established The Louise Timken Ophthalmic Education Center. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on May 20, 2022. Completion of the Cole Eye expansion is expected at the end of 2025.

Other major Ohio renovation and construction projects include the Mentor Hospital, scheduled to open next year, and the Fairview Hospital, where renovations will be made to address patient and caregiver needs. These projects follow the recent State of Ohio and JobsOhio $200 million investment and Cleveland Clinic’s $300 million investment in the Cleveland Innovation District. This is the largest research effort in Cleveland Clinic’s history and will also require philanthropic investment. Plans include adding 400,000 square feet of research space to accelerate discovery and position Northeast Ohio at the forefront of pathogen research and preparing for the next pandemic. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic is collaborating with community partners to bring a $52.8 million Meijer grocery market and apartment complex to the area to address food insecurity and revitalize the neighborhood.

Bill Peacock, chief of operations

“Cleveland Clinic is committed to helping its communities thrive – through better health and economic opportunity,” said Bill Peacock, Cleveland Clinic Chief of Operations. “Cleveland Clinic’s hiring, purchasing and capital projects make a meaningful, measurable and lasting impact on the wellbeing of our neighbors and our local economy.”