Cooper University Health Care Begins $3B Camden Expansion

Cooper University Health Care begins construction on first phase of its $3 billion expansion.

The health system’s spokesperson explained that scheduling conflicts pushed back the official groundbreaking, which was originally set for September. However, preliminary work at the site got underway in the fall.

The first phase of the Camden campus project will focus on building the first of three planned clinical towers. This 10-story, 333,000-square-foot patient care tower will also include a bridge connecting it to the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center.

The health system described its expansion project, called “Project Imagine,” as the largest in Camden County history and one of the largest ever in New Jersey. Cooper stated the expansion will meet the current and future demand at its 663-bed Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.

When Cooper first announced the major campus expansion in September 2022, estimating the price tag at $2 billion.

Cooper officials explained the new $3 billion figure represents an estimated cost for the project over time and encompasses its “long-term vision” for the Camden campus. “Many factors have adjusted the initial cost projections, which include escalating construction costs,” a Cooper spokesperson stated.

Joint Venture Formation for Cooper University Health Care’s Camden expansion

Last year, Cooper announced it has formed a joint venture with the Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and its construction managers, Torcon Inc. and P. Agnes Inc., both based in Philadelphia, for the project.

The health system claimed the joint venture will create “unprecedented economic opportunity” for Camden residents.

Under the joint venture, the carpenters union will serve as the lead construction partner on Cooper’s expansion and work with the health system to establish specific plans ensuring a hiring preference for Camden residents, overall workforce inclusion, and recruitment for apprentice programs.

Cooper University Health Care announced the estimated cost of its Camden expansion has grown to $3 billion as it prepares to break ground. — Cooper University Health Care announced the estimated cost of its Camden expansion has grown to $3 billion.

Cooper University Health Camden expansion: First Phase Details and Timeline

The first phase of the expansion, the 10-story tower will create between 425 and 475 construction jobs.

The first of the three new clinical towers will increase the hospital’s bed count by 125. The health system stated the towers will incorporate environmental sustainability and include emerging technologies and innovations to provide advanced care and support. The project will also expand education and teaching space for Cooper.

Cooper’s workforce of 11,000 people includes 940 Camden residents.

William C. Sproule, the executive secretary-treasurer of the Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, described the joint venture with Cooper University Health Care as more than a job. “It gives us an opportunity to show what we can do to make the community, our community, better and stronger and create real opportunity,” Sproule said in a statement.

Community Benefit Programs

The union, working with the construction managers, will also help ensure the broader community in the city of Camden and the South Jersey region benefit by supporting programs such as the, Cooper University Health Care’s Camden expansion, Camden Health & Athletic Association and the Camden Works job training and placement program.

The joint venture intends to make regular, quarterly, public reports detailing the number of participants in job training and apprenticeship programs, the number of Camden city residents hired, and the number hired from “historically underrepresented groups.”

Cooper University Health Camden expansion: Factsheet

Project Name: Project Imagine

Location: Camden, New Jersey

Estimated Cost: $3 billion

Initial Cost Estimate (2022): $2 billion

Lead Organization: Cooper University Health Care

Key Partners: Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Torcon Inc., P. Agnes Inc.

Expected Completion (Phase 1): Late 2026 or early 2027

Job Creation: 425-475 construction jobs (Phase 1)