AMERICAN FORK — It's official. This northern Utah County city has grown another foot — and several wings.
American Fork Hospital announced this week that after two years and $32 million, its new expansion project is complete and open for operations. And just in time.
Hospital officials say demand for medical services has grown steadily over the past few years, particularly for maternity care. Statistics show that American Fork has grown in population from 15,696 in 1990 to 21,941 in 2000 — a 28 percent increase.
The hospital's new wings and building has in essence doubled the size of the facility, said hospital administrator Keith Alexander.
"We're trying to raise the level of care for the community here," Alexander said.
The new space will make way for an expanded maternity ward, including areas for postpartum and special care nurseries. The number of maternity beds has been increased from 16 to 28 rooms.
New at the hospital will be the availability of medical specialists, such as cardiologists. Before, Alexander said, American Fork Hospital was simply too small to handle such specialized treatment.
Other services in the four-floor building include new labs, radiology and outpatient services.
The American Fork Hospital expansion is just one of many recent signs of growth in this community.
"It's just phenomenal what has happened," in the past 10 years, said American Fork City Administrator Carl Wanlass.
Last fall the City Council gave the green light to build what is expected to be one of the largest shopping centers in Utah County. The Meadows shopping center is expected to bring several large retail stores, new to the county, as well as an estimated 506 full-time jobs.
A $9.3 million combined court and police complex near City Hall is nearing completion, and city officials are searching for a site for a new $3 million fire station.
In the past few years, the city has spent $2 million upgrading the city's water system and another $2 million for an expanded culinary water reservoir.
Wanlass said the projects stem from American Fork's significant growth.
Recent census statistics show that the number of people per household in American Fork actually decreased, while the number of residents who rent increased, indicating growth is coming from outside the city.
"I think lifestyle is what draws people to this area, that and I think affordable housing," Wanlass said.
Such growth brings a few growing pains. Wanlass said growth has placed a big burden on the city's streets. The city needs $22 million in street improvements but has no source for funding.
Wanlass said the city hasn't increased property taxes since 1992. City leaders say that could change soon.
Alexander said surrounding communities, such as Pleasant Grove and Eagle Mountain, have experienced similar growth. The hospital expansion will allow Intermountain Health Care, which manages the hospital, to better deal with the influx.
According to IHC, American Fork Hospital handled 2,697 births, 5,332 operations and 22,696 emergency room visits in 2001. By 2010 those figures are expected to increase between 34 and 53 percent, according to IHC's projections.
E-MAIL: gfattah@desnews.com