After sustaining over $1.5 million in damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is investing nearly $34 million to strengthen its St. Petersburg campus against future storms.

The historic hospital, which sheltered around 200 children and families during the storms, suffered roof, wind, and water intrusion damage. CEO K. Alicia Schulhof briefed the City Council on April 10, sharing plans to fortify essential infrastructure and relocate vulnerable systems.

“Our steam line is fragile,” Schulhof told council members. “Given our financial challenges—especially with Medicaid reimbursement—your support is more critical than ever.”

Johns Hopkins All Children’s is Florida’s top-ranked pediatric hospital, serving 1.2 million children across the region. It also provides emergency support to other communities; during Hurricane Ian in 2022, the hospital airlifted neonatal patients from Fort Myers.

One major upgrade includes moving the hospital’s aging steam line to a new, 28,000-square-foot facility on its expanding campus. This state-of-the-art building, part of a $62 million project announced in November 2024, will include advanced surgical suites and six flexible pediatric emergency rooms. It is scheduled to open in July 2026 and may house steam boilers to reduce system vulnerabilities.

“We’re all hoping we don’t face another hurricane before this project is complete,” Schulhof said.

Additional storm-hardening plans over the next three to five years include separate wells for fire suppression and cooling, reinforced doors, flood barriers, new transformers, and emergency storage facilities. The hospital will also install septic tanks to manage waste during shutdowns—an estimated $5 million cost.

Relocating steam generation to the main campus is the most expensive line item at $12 million. Schulhof emphasized that over 60% of the hospital’s patients rely on Medicaid, which reimburses about 70 cents per dollar of care.

“That imbalance leaves us with a funding gap,” she said. “It’s why supplemental and philanthropic support is vital.”

The city recently unveiled Sunrise St. Pete, a $160 million federal storm recovery initiative funded by HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. Of that, $139 million must go toward unmet recovery needs and $20.85 million to mitigation.

Schulhof expressed hope that the hospital’s project could qualify for funding. “We’re ready to be first in line when the grant application opens,” she said.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard voiced uncertainty about the project’s eligibility. She urged the council to prioritize the most pressing recovery needs.

“I want us to take this opportunity seriously,” Gabbard said. “Let’s help residents rebuild and become more resilient.”

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(Image credit: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital)

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