"We Believe" Campaign For New Children's Hospital Brings In over $8 Million So Far

A "We Believe" campaign to help build a new Children's Hospital at the Erlanger campus on Third Street has already raised over $8 million, it was announced at a press conference Wednesday.

Tom Edd Wilson and Grady Williams, who are heading up the drive, said, "We are 34 percent of the way toward the $23.5 million goal."

The drive is being helped by honorary finance leaders Olan and Butch Mills, who have pledged $1 million. They were at the event.

Mr. Wilson said the hospital's Volunteer Auxiliary is also pledging $1 million.

Kevin Spiegel, Erlanger president and CEO, said 100 percent of the hospitals management and board are giving to the campaign, along with many Erlanger employees.

Erlanger is using bonds to finance the $35 million cost of the first phase of the project - a children's outpatient facility across from the Chattanooga Hamilton County Health Department. A parking lot is now at that site. It will serve 100,000 children per year. Work is set to start before the end of the year.

To be built nearby will be an inpatient facility and a women's unit.

There will be a bridge over Third Street connecting the new Children's Hospital to the adult campus.

Bruce Komiske, who earlier designed one of the large children's hospitals in the world in Chicago, called it "one of the most important projects this city is doing."

He said, "What is more important than taking care of our children?"

Mr. Komiske said the inpatient center will have several features meant to delight children, including an entryway with a train theme. He said it will include a locomotive engine from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum that dates to 1891 - the year that railroad official Baron d'Erlanger put down money to help start the original Erlanger.

Mr. Spiegel said Children's already has "a world-class" staff of over 80 trained pediatric specialists. But he said they are working in a facility that is outmoded and 40 years old.

Kim White of the RiverCity Company said Third Street is part of "a major gateway to our city." She said other improvements will be coming in line with the new Children's Hospital.