Billings – The massive redevelopment of St. Vincent Regional Hospital is now half‑way up the future building’s height. The $1 billion project, which will replace the aging campus with a single 14‑floor tower, has already risen seven stories and is slated to reach its full height by 2029.
Why the new hospital matters for Billings families
St. Vincent’s Director of Imaging Resources, Karlee May, explained that consolidating all imaging services under one roof will streamline patient flow. “When patients arrive, they can go to one place and receive faster diagnoses and easier procedures,” May said. The current layout forces patients to travel between scattered departments, delaying care and adding stress for families.
Chief Operating Officer Dustin Strandell added that the old buildings suffer from structural fatigue. “It’s the infrastructure, just the age of the facility,” he told MTN. Rebuilding on the existing site would cause massive operational disruptions, so replacing the campus makes practical and fiscal sense.
Construction milestones and community impact
Construction crews broke ground last June and have kept to a steady schedule. Sheet‑metal foreman Matt Peterson of Air Controls marveled at the progress: “This is a huge deal. You still have a whole other seven floors from that top piece of iron.” Project manager Paul Miller of Askin Construction echoed the sentiment, noting, “I never in a million years would have thought I’d be part of a project this big. It’s impressive.”
Beyond the new medical tower, the hospital plans to redevelop the surrounding campus. Strandell said the old structures will be demolished once the new building is complete, making way for additional parking, green spaces, and park areas that will benefit the broader Billings community.
What the timeline looks like
The construction schedule targets a 2029 completion, giving the hospital ample time to finish interior fit‑outs, install state‑of‑the‑art equipment, and transition patients without interrupting critical services. The phased approach aims to keep the existing facilities operational while the new tower rises.
Local leaders have praised the project for its potential to boost healthcare efficiency and create construction jobs. The development aligns with Billings’ broader goals of modernizing infrastructure while preserving family‑centered care.
Looking ahead
When the new St. Vincent Regional Hospital opens, Billings residents can expect a single, modern facility that reduces travel within the campus, speeds up diagnostic results, and offers a safer, more comfortable environment for patients and their families. The project stands as a testament to community investment in health and the future well‑being of Montana’s largest city.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
