Work on a new Brooks-TLC Hospital could begin as early as next month.

Construction of a new hospital in Fredonia took another significant step forward on Tuesday. Officials from Brooks-TLC and Kaleida Health announced they have finalized and submitted the Certificate of Need for the site at 412 E. Main St.

According to documents filed with the state Health Department, the $223 million project is expected to incorporate medical office space with outpatient services in a 133,000-square-foot facility that will include 15 medical and surgical beds with an additional five observation beds.

Additionally, the Emergency Department capacity will increase from nine bays to 16 and include designated trauma, bariatric and sexual assault services.

Don Boyd, president and chief executive officer of Kaleida Health, hailed the work and effort that took place in getting the effort to this period. “What we’re most proud of is this (project) is a manifestation of our mission, which is to advance the health of our community,” said Don Boyd, chief executive officer at Kaleida. “It’s the fulfilling of a commitment that we make every day to our community … and this community deserves this.”

Though the application has been completed, it still needs to be reviewed before there is final approval from the state. Brooks-TLC and Kaleida are hoping that would happen in the coming weeks.

Other benefits tied to the new location would include:

— Closer proximity to Routes 60, 20 and the state Thruway.

— Clinic space for primary care and specialty services that include women’s oncology, cardiology, infusion, orthopedics, urology, wound care and pain management.

— Pharmacy, laboratory and other support services.

— Three operating and procedure rooms.

— A full imaging suite for CT, MRI, echocardiography, X-ray, EKG and Dexa scan services.

— A helipad on the property.

Both Boyd and Ken Morris, president and chief executive officer of Brooks-TLC, see the hospital project as a significant piece to driving the northern Chautauqua County economy. “This new location is not just helpful for just Dunkirk and Fredonia, but all of northern Chautauqua County,” Morris said. “There are a number of benefits, not just for now, but for the future. … It’s important for the community, the businesses, to be able to attract people and talent to our area to help sustain us.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who Kaleida praised for her work in making the new location happen, announced $74 million in funding for the project in June 2024 at a press conference and community celebration in the Williams Center at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Additional funding, which could come from the state, Kaleida and philanthropy, remain in the works.

Officials are targeting construction to begin in early 2026 with completion expected in the fall of 2028.