New York Construction Report staff writer
The State University of New York has agreed to commit more than $1 billion in capital funding for the modernization of SUNY Downstate Hospital, following the submission of a detailed proposal by the Downstate Community Advisory Board.
The plan aims to preserve all inpatient and outpatient services, renovate patient rooms and the emergency department, and construct a new hospital annex featuring an ambulatory surgery center. The proposed upgrades follow months of community engagement and are designed to revitalize a facility that serves one of New York’s most medically underserved areas.
“Central Brooklyn deserves world-class health care, and with this historic $1 billion investment, we’re securing a brighter, healthier future for SUNY Downstate and the communities it serves,” Hochul said in a statement.
The advisory board’s proposal retains essential services, including maternity and kidney transplant care, and recommends converting all double-occupancy patient rooms into private rooms with showers. The changes would increase the number of operational beds to 225, up from the current average daily census of 165. The emergency department would expand to 45 stations, and specialized inpatient units for cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics would be added.
It also addresses critical infrastructure issues, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems that have led to repeated failures. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. called the investment a “cornerstone of care” for Brooklyn.
SUNY Downstate, the borough’s only academic medical center, has faced mounting financial challenges, including a $100 million annual deficit and deteriorating infrastructure. Hochul secured $750 million in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 state budgets and directed SUNY to dedicate $50 million annually over seven years from its capital allocation, bringing the total reinvestment to over $1 billion.
The Community Advisory Board, composed of local healthcare professionals and community leaders, convened for six months to develop the plan. They hosted four public hearings and consulted with stakeholders, including SUNY Downstate faculty and advocacy groups. Deloitte and other consulting firms were engaged to assess infrastructure, financial feasibility, and sustainability.
SUNY Downstate President Dr. Wayne J. Riley said the investment marks a “bright future” for the institution, which serves more than 300,000 Brooklyn residents annually.
The final proposal will undergo further review by SUNY and the state as implementation planning begins.
