More construction on the way as Jeanes Hospital, Fox Chase Cancer Center move forward with merger

Construction will last approximately two more years in Fox Chase as Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center merge their services.

Work is already underway at the Cancer Center on 24,000 square feet of research space. A request for proposal was issued Wednesday afternoon for work to be done inside the Jeanes Hospital founders building. That project is expected to last this fall and last 18 to 20 months.

Associate Hospital Director Joe Schofield was at the Fox Chase Homeowners Association/Town Watch meeting Wednesday night to stress the work being done on the hospital’s campus impacts the inside of the founders building only. The exterior will remain as-is. That seems to be a theme. Excavation is already underway for the new Cancer Center research space, and COO Gary Weyhmuller said the bulk of the work will take place inside the building on its goes up.

The Cancer Center and Temple University Health System announced their merger in December, with Temple investing an initial $10 million. The new research building was funded with federal stimulus money.

As for the founders building renovation, Schofield said 54 employees will have to be relocated, but layoffs aren’t in the picture. “There is no intention to have anyone lose their jobs,” he said. “If anything, we expect that new jobs will be available.