Downtown building demolished

The first steps were taken to clear the ground for construction of Terry’s House at the corner of Fresno and R streets on Feb. 21, as workers from Kroeker Inc. tore down an office building that formerly housed Community Medical Centers’ communications department.

The demolition makes way for groundbreaking this spring on Terry’s House, a hotel-like facility on the Community Regional Medical Center campus where families of the most critically injured patients can stay while their loved ones receive care.

Jeff Kroeker, owner of Kroeker Inc. Demolition and Recycling Contractors, gifted his company’s services to be a part of the project. Kroeker said 90% of the demolished materials will be recycled.

“Community Medical Centers is a vital part of our community, providing us with a Level 1 trauma center with the latest and best technologies in the medical field,” Kroeker said. “We all hope that we never have to see the inside of this facility, but if we do, we are very fortunate to have one of this caliber located so close to home.”

Tom Richards, chief executive officer of The Penstar Group, gave the initial gift to get the project under way for the 17,000-square foot, two-story house that will consist of 20 affordable guest rooms.

Terry’s House is named in honor of Terry Richards, Tom’s brother who survived a serious trauma at age 5.

“Most every family has been touched by a serious injury to a relative or close friend,” Tom Richards said. “During these times of profound stress and concern, a place to stay close to our loved ones during their prolonged hospitalization is a relief. Terry’s House will be their safe harbor for generations to come.”

The facility will be used primarily for burn and trauma survivors’ immediate family members who reside outside of Fresno, but also will support specialty care such as high-risk maternal services, neonatal, cardiac and neurosurgery.

Preliminary design allows for private bath and refrigerator, kitchen, dining area, laundry facility, a large great room, activity lounge, a family resource center and a children’s activity room.

Community Medical Foundation is launching a campaign to raise $3 million to fund and equip the home and raise additional dollars to create the endowment for operations and charity. Others have already joined to help make this project a reality, including Bank of America, Lennar Homes and KMPH Fox 26.

Terry’s House will be located directly across Fresno Street from the Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center and the Leon S. Peters Burn Center at Community Regional. The hospital has the only burn and Level 1 trauma centers between Sacramento and Los Angeles and treats patients from a nine-county region.

This story was reported by Eddie Hughes. He can be reached at eddieh@communitymedical.org.

Thursday, February 21, 2008