Construction workers hoisted the last roof beam of Swedish Ballard’s new outpatient and emergency care building into place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 11.

Erection of the building began in mid-December and is slated to be finished by fall 2010.

The new five-story building will house an emergency healthcare department on the first floor; medical imaging for x-rays, sonograms and MRIs on the second floor; primary care facilities on the third floor; and specialty physicians’ office space on the fourth floor.

The new building is part of a larger renovation plan for Swedish Ballard. The hospital was having difficulty recruiting new specialists, and the building is part of the effort to attract new hires and demonstrate to the community that Ballard Swedish is a permanent part of the neighborhood, said Rayburn Lewis, M.D., executive director of Swedish’s Ballard campus.

So far, Ballard Swedish has hired a new ear, nose and throat team, as well as new obstetrician/gynecologists, midwives, urologists and general surgeons.

Lewis said the new hospital building is exciting for both the hospital and the community.

Some people were unaware that Swedish existed in the neighborhood, but now when they walk past, it’s hard to miss, said Lewis.

There are larger five, 10 and 15-year development plans under way, which will involve the replacement of other older buildings on the campus.

The new building’s total cost estimate is between $32 million and $34 million.

The roof beam ceremony was attended by hospital, construction and architect officials. Mortenson Construction, who handled the construction of the new building, provided a barbeque lunch for all attendees.

The last roof beam was hoisted with a small tree on top – a Norwegian symbol of life – in honor of the fact that all workers stayed safe during the construction process.