GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Jan. 22, 2025) – Altru has officially opened a new $470 million state-of-the-art replacement hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Under construction since June 2019, with a break during the pandemic, the facility was delivered by PCL Construction Services, Inc. and Community Contractors with JLG Architects as the designer. It addresses the challenges of accessing quality healthcare in rural America, where limited medical services and longer travel distances are common. In Grand Forks County, where nearly one in five residents live in rural areas, the hospital plays a critical role in improving access to care. Serving tens of thousands of patients annually, the new facility spans over 550,000 square feet and includes 12 operating rooms, four catheterization/electrophysiology labs and 33 monitored patient rooms. This significant investment improves patient care, drives healthcare innovation and strengthens the local economy.
Altru CEO Todd Forkel said, “This new facility reflects our dedication to providing high-quality healthcare, fostering innovation, and creating a welcoming environment for patients and their families. We are honored to serve this community and look forward to building a healthier future together.”
The hospital features the most innovative, advanced technology with an integrated interventional radiology (IR) and computed tomography (CT) machine, a cutting-edge imaging suite and advanced infection control systems capable of converting entire wings to negative pressure. This is critical as negative pressure prevents airborne contaminants from spreading to other areas, ensuring safer conditions for patients, staff and visitors during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
“Drawing on our extensive experience in healthcare construction, including over 1,000 projects totaling more than $17.5 billion and more than 50 major hospital projects, we were able to deliver a facility that meets the needs of patients, staff and the community,” said Trent Johnson, district manager for PCL’s Minnesota and North Dakota offices. “This achievement reflects the power of collaboration and a shared vision for the future.”
Altru also now offers private rooms throughout its hospital, including in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pre- and post-operative areas, improving patient privacy and comfort.
“We at Community Contractors, Inc. were incredibly proud to leverage our expertise to support the Altru Project alongside our Joint Venture Partner, PCL Construction. It was a privilege to collaborate with such a dedicated team including the Altru and JLG teams, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to deliver this cutting-edge facility for Altru and the Grand Forks community. This project exemplifies the power of partnership and the positive impact we can achieve when we work together,” said Craig Tweten, Founder and President of Community Contractors.
The new facility reflects Altru’s commitment to inclusivity and holistic care. Its multi-faith spiritual center features a foot-washing station and design elements tailored to accommodate a range of religious practices. This addition was important to Altru to ensure that all community members feel welcome and supported, regardless of their faith or cultural background.
The previous hospital will soon be decommissioned, with plans to transform the site into a park and parking area.
About Altru
Based in Grand Forks, N.D., Altru is an independent, non-profit healthcare organization that is physician-led, with over 300 providers and 65 specialties of care. Altru boasts an acute care hospital, specialty hospital, level II trauma center and twenty practice locations throughout northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. Altru was the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, extending Mayo Clinic expertise to the patients they serve. Altru employs over 3,400 staff and providers who are empowered to fulfill Altru’s mission – making a difference for those we care for. For more information, visit altru.org.
About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.
About Community Contractors
Founded in 1981 by Craig Tweten, Community Contractors specializes in Construction Management, Design/Build, P3 and General Construction projects. The company manages construction projects across North Dakota, Minnesota, and the broader Upper Midwest. We prioritize our clients’ unique needs and objectives, carefully considering their challenges and aspirations. Our team of professionals ensures project success by focusing on key areas: seamless collaboration, efficient cost management, timely completion, and rigorous quality control. This approach helps the project to succeed and contributes to our clients organization's growth. To find out more about CCI go to www.communitycontractorsinc.com.