SUNY Downstate Hospital in East Flatbush, just south of Crown Heights, is set to receive a $1 billion transformation following a plan approved by Governor Kathy Hochul and developed with local community input.
By Anash.org reporter
SUNY Downstate Hospital in East Flatbush is set to receive a $1 billion transformation following a plan approved by Governor Kathy Hochul and developed with local community input. The sweeping project promises to preserve all current services while modernizing the aging facility that has long served as a critical lifeline for Central Brooklyn.
The proposal was submitted by the Downstate Community Advisory Board after months of public hearings and meetings with community members, hospital staff, and local advocates. Under the plan, all inpatient rooms will be renovated and converted into private rooms with showers, bringing the hospital’s capacity to 225 operational beds. The emergency department will be fully expanded to include 45 treatment stations, and key inpatient units such as cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics will be upgraded.
A brand-new hospital annex will also be built, which will include an ambulatory surgery center and expanded outpatient services, particularly in cardiology and oncology. The plan further addresses years of delayed maintenance by replacing worn-out infrastructure like heating, plumbing, and electrical systems — issues that have led to repeated breakdowns in recent years.
Governor Hochul praised the proposal, calling it a long-overdue investment in health care for Central Brooklyn. “This plan was shaped by the voices of those who know and rely on Downstate — community members, faculty, and staff,” she said in a statement. “With this historic $1 billion investment, we’re securing a brighter, healthier future for SUNY Downstate and the communities it serves.”
All existing inpatient and outpatient services will remain, including maternity care and the hospital’s kidney transplant program — the only one of its kind in Brooklyn.
SUNY Downstate has struggled with chronic underfunding and reported a $100 million deficit last year. At one point, the hospital’s future was uncertain. But instead of shutting it down or scaling it back, the state has committed to restoring it as a full-service academic medical center. The project will be funded through $750 million in already-approved capital money, along with additional SUNY funding over the next several years to reach the $1 billion total.
The hospital will remain fully operational during construction, though timelines for the renovation phases have not yet been finalized.
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