Army Corps queries Kansas, Missouri builders about adapting buildings for COVID-19 care
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking construction firms in Kansas and Missouri about their interest in retrofitting buildings to help hospitals handle the expected surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted a notice Thursday seeking information from firms about converting “pre-existing buildings and facilities for increased medical capacity as a result of the COVID-19 virus outbreak.”
The solicitation lists Kansas City, Wichita, St. Louis, Topeka, Columbia and Springfield as potential sites for alternative care facilities if there is a surge in the number of coronavirus patients who need hospitalization in the two states.
“Potential buildings and facilities to be retrofitted include hotels and convention centers. Hotels and convention centers may be configured as an acute alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients or a non-acute alternate care facility,” the notice states.
The corps is already moving forward with a plan to build alternative facilities in the states hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. Stony Brook University and the Jacob Javits Convention Center are among the sites selected in New York.
The corps made clear that it is collecting information, and is not working on any specific plan.
“We are gathering market research at this time and preparing to quickly respond to any mission assignment we may receive. The district does not currently have a mission assignment, yet is prepared in the event we do. We are prepositioning for success regarding sources sought,” said David Kolarik, a spokesman for the corps’ Kansas City district.
Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Lee Norman said Wednesday that the state had discussed with the corps the possibility of reconfiguring dorm rooms and hotels, but he also made clear that his preference would be use existing health care facilities, including VA hospitals.
The Wichita Eagle’s Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 5:19 PM.
