John S. Goebel, P.E. is the President of the general contracting firm, Goebel Construction, Ltd., founded in 1991.  his father, John H. "Jack" Goebel, who is now retired, was instrumental in getting John S. Goebel involved in the construction industry.

Southwest General hospital Women's Center addition is an attractive 20,000 sq. ft., single-story building, contiguous with the existing facility.   It features a suspended foundation, structural steel superstructure, and a combination of built-up, clay tile and standing seam metal roofing components.  The new grand entrance features a vaulted porte-cochere projecting over the circle driveway to protect the arriving mothers-to-be.

"The spacious 24-bed addition has labor and delivery rooms, postpartum rooms, a new nurses' station, a viewing room and all the other components that the existing birthing center has," John explained. "We're giving them more space in which to function."

The existing birthing center, including C-section rooms, will be renovated and, in some cases, reconfigured during Phase II.

San Antonio Construction News asked John to describe some of the challenges presented by this sensitive construction project. "One of the first concerns expressed by the owners was to prevent, first and foremost, the possible theft of the babies," he began.'That was tantamount to their feeling of security. In order to ensure the safety and security of the babies, we went to great efforts to create a new temporary entry. In doing so, the hospital personnel could remain functional while we built this new addition right onto where they were working. We've all had to work together to do that. We had to extend the plumbing, electrical and mechanical services from the existing facility over into the new facility, which required building a utility corridor. We built the new covered entry from an existing parking lot.

"We will have to tent off an area, like a vestibule, inside the existing area, where we can keep the dust and infiltration from coming into existing space while we're cutting through. Then we build and finish the connection. The 8,000 sq. ft., Phase II remodel will involve working within and finishing six small areas separately but simultaneously. Meanwhile, the new space will be open for the use of the hospital staff."

Medical construction is one of Goebel Construction's areas of specialty, having built several ambulatory surgery centers, surgery clinics, surgery additions, specialty surgery projects, as well as dental and veterinarian clinics.

"A medical facility is much more complex than building an office building or retail center,'' John emphasized. 

"The hospitals are quite sophisticated, right down to the ceiling-mounted surgery lights, which require special structural supports. Elaborate air systems include smoke evacuation systems, proper return air, positive pressure rooms, and negative pressure rooms. There are tight controls on medical gas systems and sterilization I  satin equipment  as well."

"Doster specializes in medical facilities across the south and southeast," John reported. "What we bring to the joint venture is a presence in this market, understanding of the nature of this specialized construction, and great contacts within the subcontractor community. Bill Walker, the Project. Superintendent, is the only Doster employee on the jobsite."

Major players in the Southwest General Hospital Women's Center addition include: PageSoutherlandPage, architect of record; Health Associates, construction management; SSR, Inc., mechanical consulting engineers; and Paul-Koehler-Brown, consulting structural engineers.