Construction is getting under way on the new Sarasota Memorial Cancer Institute, an eight-story oncology and surgical tower on the hospital’s main campus. This will impact traffic flow, valet-parking procedures and patient pick-up at the first-floor Departure Lounge. Here is a roundup of current and upcoming changes, along with useful maps showing the changes.
New Campus Driveways Open March 23
Effective Saturday, March 23, the hospital entrance driveway that runs from Waldemere Street to the Departure Lounge and main hospital entrance will shift slightly east, closer to Tamiami Trail/US 41.
A second campus entrance/exit, allowing vehicles to turn right onto or from Tamiami Trail/US 41 south-bound, will open near the Emergency Care Center (emergency room entrance). Please see the accompanying map above.
New Waldemere Parking Garage Entrance
Waldemere Parking Garage is located just west of the hospital's main entrance, on the south side of Waldemere Street. The entrance to Waldemere Parking Garage has moved to the west side of the garage (facing West Campus Drive). Traffic can exit on the west side of the garage, as well as via the exit on Waldemere Street; the Waldemere Street exit is for exiting traffic only. (See the accompanying photo, which faces east from Waldemere Street.)
Valeted-car Pickup Now at Waldemere Parking Garage
Patients and visitors can continue to drop off their vehicles for free valet parking services at the hospital's main entrance. When you're ready to pick up your vehicle, take your valet ticket to the new valet office, located on the hospital's first floor, across from the Departure Lounge. Drivers can wait for their vehicle to arrive in the air-conditioned waiting area next to the A Elevators on the first floor of the Waldemere Garage.
Pedestrians who need to cross Waldemere Street are encouraged to use the pedestrian bridge that runs between Waldemere Garage and Waldemere Medical Plaza/North Parking Garage.
Emergency room and Obstetrical Emergency Care Center (OBECC) patients may continue to drop off and pick up their cars using the free valet service outside the Emergency Care Center.
Valet pick-up and drop-off procedures at the Radiology entrance on Arlington Street also will not be affected by the Cancer Institute construction.
Departure Lounge Pick-up Change
The driveway outside the Departure Lounge and the adjacent automatic door will close due to construction.
Effective Friday, March 22, the pick-up of patients from the Departure Lounge will transition to the Waldemere Garage. A discharge greeter will be stationed at a podium on the west side of the first floor of Waldemere Garage to direct drivers to a designated patient pick-up area distinctly marked in orange. The greeter also will communicate patient transport updates with the Departure Lounge.