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84
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82
95
82
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Ronald McDonald House to Offer Hope, Healing By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Designed to offer hope and healing to families with kids facing serious health challenges, the replacement Ronald McDonald House on Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Atlanta will nearly triple its capacity when it opens in early 2016. A groundbreaking took place in late September, where the signature clown joined executives in turning over the first shovels of dirt. “As demand for Atlanta Ronald McDonald House has steadily risen, we have not been able to keep up with the need for our services,” said Kimberly Cunningham, vice president of operations of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC). “Over the past three years, more than 650 families have been turned away from our Peachtree Dunwoody House, because there were no rooms available. We are so excited to begin construction on our new 31-bedroom house, so we can serve more families.” The ARMHC board of directors launched the Open Hearts, Open Doors Phase II capital campaign to raise $18.5 million to build the new home near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. The three-story house will replace the existing facility, which serves families whose children are hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment at Scottish Rite, Northside and other area hospitals. The new structure will feature private baths, full ADA accessibility, including an elevator and roll-in showers, laundry rooms, a community room, a play room, as well as a full pantry and kitchen with dining areas. In-house computers and Wi-Fi will be provided so that families can telecommute, remaining connected with their jobs, relatives and friends. The energy-efficient, sustainable home built to LEED standards was designed to provide a comfortable, safe place for families to sleep. The house also will provide 24-hour transportation to and from the hospital. Based on research that shows the crucial role physical environments play in family-centered care and positive medical outcomes, the goal was to create a refuge for families. Guests will be greeted with a breezeway that begins at the front door and leads families to the living room featuring a stone fireplace. Natural stone, lapped exterior siding and paneled wood interior walls were included in the design to give a residential feel. Plans call for the integration of nature through light-filled interior spaces with views to the outdoors and exterior spaces. A kitchen and dining room will offer home-cooked meals. Arts and crafts areas, play spaces and a community room
will help ease stress and anxiety, while providing a sense of normalcy to patients and their siblings. A three-story tree house, fully ADA-accessible, will offer the therapeutic benefits of art, nature and play. Families are being housed at the Ronald McDonald House on Gatewood Road and at nearby hotels while the new structure is under construction. Brasfield & Gorrie is serving as the general contractor on the project. “Right now we are finishing up foundations and prepping for our foundation walls and columns, said Chad Hayes, Brasfield & Gorrie project manager. “We also have our MEP subcontractors installing their underground utilities. We’re scheduled to pour slab on grade in December, and our first elevated slab near the end of the month.” Crews have completed clearing, grubbing and mass grading. More than 75 percent of site storm drainage also is finished. Still to be carried out is work related to the structure, skin, roofing, finishes, tree house, hardscape and landscaping. see HOUSE page 6
Brasfield & Gorrie photo
Crews have completed clearing, grubbing and mass grading.
Brasfield & Gorrie photo
A groundbreaking took place in late September, where the signature clown joined executives in turning over the first shovels of dirt.