Site work begins for new $224M hospital in Fredonia

Kaleida Health and Brooks-TLC Hospital System project aims to open new facility by 2028.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kaleida Health announced that initial site work for the new $224 million Northern Chautauqua Hospital project in Fredonia, New York is beginning this week. Turner Construction Co. has subcontracted with local firm S. St. George General Contracting to perform preliminary site work, including setting up staging areas, fencing the property, and grading the site. The new one-story, 133,000-square-foot hospital is planned to open by the end of 2028 and will offer 15 medical-surgical beds, a 16-bay emergency department, and other services.

Why it matters

The new hospital project is a major investment in healthcare infrastructure for the Chautauqua County region, ensuring residents have access to high-quality care close to home. The facility is a collaborative effort between Kaleida Health and the Brooks-TLC Hospital System, with support from New York state.

The details

The preliminary site work will prepare the 30-acre former grape vineyard site for the hospital's construction, which is expected to begin soon after receiving full state approval. The new hospital is planned to have 15 medical-surgical beds, a 16-bay emergency department, five observation beds, primary care and specialty clinics, three operating rooms, an imaging suite, and other support services. It will also feature a helipad for emergency patient arrivals.

  • Initial site work begins this week (March 16, 2026).
  • The new hospital is estimated to open by the end of 2028.

The players

Kaleida Health

A nonprofit healthcare system that is leading the development of the new Northern Chautauqua Hospital project.

Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. (BTLC)

A hospital system that is collaborating with Kaleida Health on the new hospital project.

Turner Construction Co.

The construction company that has subcontracted with a local firm to perform the initial site work.

S. St. George General Contracting

The Fredonia-based construction firm that is performing the preliminary site work, including setting up staging areas, fencing, and grading.

Gov. Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who has provided $74 million in state funding to support the hospital's construction.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's exciting to be underway. We are deeply grateful to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her continued support of this project. This investment in our new hospital will ensure that individuals and families in Chautauqua County and nearby communities can receive high-quality care close to home. It's a transformative and meaningful step toward a healthier, more resilient future for our Southern Tier region, and we appreciate the governor's partnership in making it a reality.”

— Don Boyd, President and CEO of Kaleida Health

“These two milestones build momentum and shift our efforts from planning and applying for needed pieces of the construction puzzle to actually beginning site-enabling work for the future foundation and steel installations. Those will be determined and based on full state approval, which is expected in the near future.”

— Ken Morris, President, Brooks-TLC Hospital System

What’s next

The team expects to receive full state approval for the hospital's construction in the near future, which will allow them to move forward with laying the foundation and steel installations.

The takeaway

The new Northern Chautauqua Hospital project represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the region, ensuring residents have access to high-quality medical services close to home. The collaborative effort between Kaleida Health and Brooks-TLC Hospital System, with support from New York state, demonstrates a commitment to improving community health and resilience.