By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometonwnewsol.com
PORT ST. LUCIE - Some city residents will be a part of Tradition Hospital's history, one name at a time.
That's because the final beam to Tradition Hospital has been making the rounds through the city so residents have the opportunity to sign their names on it.
"This is the first time we've really traveled around with a beam," said Scott Samples, the public information coordinator for Martin Health System. "It's not very often we get to the opportunity to have people be a part of the facility."
Called a topping-out ceremony, the final beam will be placed at the top of the six-floor building. The ceremony marks the half-way point of construction.
"It's coming along," Mr. Samples said. "We broke ground in March, and we anticipate the completion by the end of 2013, with the finish date in January of 2014."
The hospital is expected to have 90 beds, and Mr. Samples estimates 400 jobs will be generated by opening the facility.
"We will probably start recruiting the middle of next year," he said.
Residents have so far seen the beam at the Martin Health facilities in St. Lucie West and Port St. Lucie, as well as a few locations in Martin County. From 10 a.m. to noon, it is scheduled to make its final stop at the Tradition Fall Festival, scheduled to take place at 10824 S.W. Village Parkway in Port St. Lucie.
Residents are invited to come out and choose from a selection of colored pens to sign their names.
"It's fun to see people excited about it," Mr. Samples said.
For more information on the beam and the construction of Tradition Hospital, go to www.martinhealth.org/tradition.