TUCSON, AZ Banner Health has selected local contractor and partner to construct a new, 11-story tower that will replace the 40-year-old portion of the hospital at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson.

Pending zoning approvals, Sundt I DPR, a joint venture, will begin preparing the site and utilities late this year, with construction starting in early 2016. The facility is expected to open in 2019.

"Banner Health's "˜high tech, high touch' approach to provide innovative health care throughout Arizona is ambitious and a commitment Sundt I DPR Joint Venture will help them meet," said , Regional Manager of Arizona for DPR Construction. "Our team unites each company's individual ideas and experiences, while continually streamlining processes, and developing new methodology and technology for building one-of-a-kind health-care projects throughout Arizona."

Banner's $400 million construction project at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson represents a much-needed enhancement to one of the nation's top academic medical centers and southern Arizona's only Level 1 Trauma Center. The 689,000-square-foot patient tower will be configured and sized for current and future health-care technology, with 336 private patient rooms, 22 new operating rooms, imaging suites, and public spaces. Architects for the new tower are of Phoenix, Arizona, and of Tucson, Arizona.

"We believe in Banner Health's mission and its relentless drive and passion in achieving the highest quality and function at the lowest cost," said , Sundt's Southwest Business Development Manager. "We've vowed to provide the construction innovation, collaboration and productivity to create an environment that supports their transformation of sick care into healthcare."

The tower will open with 240 private rooms along with shelled space on the top two floors to accommodate 96 beds in the future, depending on community need. This will raise the total bed count slightly from its current 479 to 489 licensed beds in 2019, because beds in the original hospital building will close at that time.

In addition to constructing the new patient tower, Sundt and DPR have been retained to renovate two floors and the lobby of Diamond Children's -now called Banner Children's - Diamond Children's Medical Center. They also will remodel the original hospital building, which opened in 1971 as "University Hospital," for non-patient-care uses such as administrative functions.

"Banner's decision to select this joint venture team was based on its combined strengths: Sundt's innovative approach to technical construction and deep roots in the community, and DPR's expertise as the nation's number one health-care builder," said , Vice President, Development and Construction for Banner Health. "Once completed, this facility will help Banner Health fulfill its mission in Southern Arizona to improve lives through excellent patient care."