Florida Construction News staff writer

At a meeting on in early February, Naples city council gave a green light to construction of Naples Community Hospital’s Heart Institute, approving the necessary rezoning.

The 189,000-sq. ft., five story heart center will be constructed at NCH’s downtown Baker Hospital.

Hospital officials have been waiting close to five years for approval to start construction on the $200 million project.

One concern was the proposed height of the 87-foot-tall facility, which soars over the city’s 42-foot limit for a commercial building.

In Wednesday’s meeting, NCH eventually agreed to lower the parking garage height by 10 feet.

The center will provide advanced heart and stroke care. Construction is self-funded through philanthropy and healthcare system resources.