OZARK - Mercy Hospital Ozark broke ground Thursday on a $5.13 million project that will result in added services, equipment and space.

The 14,759-square-foot project is expected to be completed by November 2019. Franklin County is funding $1.47 million of the cost.

The project will focus on tearing down and rebuilding the east side of the hospital complex that was built in 1952 and included administration offices, physical therapy and the county health department clinic, which has moved to a new location. Construction will result in expanded physical therapy space, new equipment and room for additional outpatient services such as cardiac rehabilitation. During construction, physical therapy and administration offices will be relocated to the medical-surgical area of the hospital.

Studio 6 Architects in Fort Smith designed the project. General contractor is SSI of Fort Smith. Black Hills Energy donated $25,000 for the project.