Penn Medicine Project Information
Penn Medicine, Dekalb Pike, between Welsh Road and Gwynmont Drive (approved 8/28/23)
The Township will continue to post updates to this page as new information becomes available.
The above photo is a conceptual plan
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Owner & Operator of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, submitted a land development application to construct an ambulatory health care center on an 11.9-acre parcel on the east side of Dekalb Pike, between Welsh Road and Gwynmont Drive, in the C Commercial zoning district, permitted by conditional use.
The Board of Supervisors granted conditional use on April 10, 2023, and conditionally approved the land development application on August 28, 2023. The plan includes a 4-story ambulatory health care center and an adjoining 4-level above-ground parking garage with an additional underground parking level.
The facility will provide outpatient medical services, including labs, physical therapy, primary care, and orthopedics, without overnight or 24-hour operations. The site will be improved with landscaping, stormwater management, lighting, an internal walking path, pedestrian crosswalks, and a traffic signal at Dekalb Pike and Gateway Center Drive/Penn Medicine Drive.
Facility Photo Renderings
Landscape Buffer and Fencing
Source: Land Development/Landscape Plan
The site will include:
- A 50-foot wide screen buffer along the north and east property boundaries.
- A 20-foot softening buffer along the southwest and southeast boundaries.
- An 8-foot tall wood board privacy fence located within 5 feet of the property line.
- 100% visual screening within 4 years for screen buffers.
- 50% visual screening within 5 years for softening buffers.
Tree Removal and Replacement
Source: Land Development/Landscape Plan
The plan includes:
- Removal of 237 trees between 8"–23" diameter and 12 trees between 24"–48" diameter.
- Specific removal of a grouping of Black Locust trees along Trotter Lane.
To meet township requirements, the project will plant:
- 129 new trees, including:
- 67 shade trees
- 72 flowering trees
- 26 evergreen trees
Visual Impact and Site Views
Source: Conditional Use Presentation
Visual cross sections from the landscaping presentation show:
- East-West and North-South views from residential areas.
- Placement of fencing, berms, and landscaping relative to the building.
These visuals do not specify whether the landscaping shown reflects installation or full maturity.
Installation Timing
Fall is the optimal season for landscape buffer installation. Final timing is pending confirmation from Penn Medicine.
Construction Schedule
According to the township exhibits presentation:
- Design and permitting: July 2024 – February 2025
- Construction: March 2025 – March 2027
- Substantial completion: Spring 2027
Project Updates
Sitework is underway.
May 22, 2026
MOB
- Level 1, 2, and 3 overhead - ductwork, sheet metal, electrical, fire protection, and insulation
- Framing and topping off priority walls on level 1, 3, and 4
- Stair B handrails install, concrete pour and steel detailing of staircase
- Setting prefabricated rooms on level 1, 2, and 3
- Roof Air Handling Units (AHUs) setting and connection
- Spray fireproofing inspection deficiencies remediation on all floors
- High roof PVC layer install from plan West to plan East
- Innovation glass delivery and install
- Healing garden canopy install and detailing
- Electrical equipment setting and connection in level 1 electrical rooms
- Painting TDR uppers and electrical rooms
Parking Garage
- Precast concrete erection - Sequence 2 and 3
- Calking and grouting of erected precast pieces
Site
- Loading dock slab prep, conduits, and concrete pour
- Site leveling and prep for curbs
April 30, 2026
MOB
- Slab on Grade prep and concrete pour area B section
- Level 2 overhead - plumbing, sheet metal, fire protection, electrical, and insulation
- Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical risers on level 4
- Setting prefabricated pods on level 1 and 2
- Drywall layout, framing, and topping off
- Finishing up CMU block wall
- Spray fireproofing on level 1
- Roof PVC install
- Main Entrance canopy detailing and lighting install
- Air Handling Units (AHUs) delivery and install
- Electrical equipment delivery and install
Parking Garage
- Precast crane erection
- Garage precast concrete components erection
Site
- Site lighting conduits install
- Site leveling around MOB
- Loading dock slab prep
- Grading for temporary equipment access
March 26, 2026
MOB
- Slab on Grade prep and concrete pour
- Unitized curtain wall install continuing from sequence 4
- Exterior thin brick panels erection continuing from sequence 5
- Roof air-vapor barrier (AVB) install (roof level)
- Interior priority walls framing level 2
- Overhead mechanical ducts and piping level 2
- Overhead plumbing piping level 2
- Overhead electrical conduits and cable trays level 2
- Spray fireproofing Level 1
Parking Garage
- Grading garage for precast erection
- Garage precast concrete erection
Site
- Storm piping install
- Grading for temporary site access and construction equipment (cranes)
On Saturday, March 7, crews will be working.
On Saturday, February 28, crews will be working 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
February 23, 2026
MOB
- Install of hot and chilled water pipes - risers and mains
- Main riser ductwork in shafts
- Layout and install of overhead MEP ducts, piping, and conduit - Level 2
- Install of air vapor barrier (AVB) on roof
- Framing priority walls on level 2
- Fireproofing on level 3
- Delivery and Install of stair A
- LINAC underground electrical conduits
- Curtain wall install - sequence 1 and 2
- Panelized exterior thin brick facade install
Parking Garage
- Excavation and install of geothermal horizontal manifold piping and vault
- Backfilling and grading garage in preparation for precast erection
February 6, 2026
MOB
- Start of Thin brick panels erection
- Spray fireproofing
- Hangers and pipes install - mechanical and plumbing
- Roof insulation - vapor barrier/waterproofing installation
- HVAC riser duct install in the shafts
- Sanitary and storm risers
- Start curtain wall installation
- Level 2 concrete pour and slab-on-grade concrete pours
- LINAC underground conduits and underground electrical duct banks
Garage
- Geothermal piping and vault install
Site
- Basin and underground drainage/sanitary
January 9, 2026 - Penn Medicine's scheduled January Construction Activities
Main Building:
- Slab on Deck concrete pours – North half of building
- Underground electrical installation
- Fireproofing
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing overhead rough-ins
- Exterior wall panel installation
Parking Garage:
- Completion of geothermal well drilling, continue with manifold piping installation
Site:
- Completion of underground basin installation
November 26, 2025 - Penn Medicine's scheduled December Construction Activities:
Medical Office Building:
- Completion of structural steel detailing and decking
- Slab on Deck concrete pours – Level 4 south and Roof
- Concrete pads for mechanical/electrical equipment
- Underground utility install (electrical, storm water, sanitary piping)
- Fireproofing
Parking Garage:
- Drilling geothermal wells and manifold piping installation
Site:
- Perimeter fencing and tree installation
- Underground basin installation
November 11, 2025 - Starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025, construction crews will pour concrete beginning at approximately 7:00 a.m. through approximately 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
October 31, 2025 - Penn Medicine's scheduled November Construction Activities:
- Geothermal wells drilling at the parking garage
- Geothermal manifold and vault excavation and install
- Underground storm water piping and backfill
- Foundation walls, rebar, and concrete - healing garden
- Underground plumbing and runout piping
- Steel erection (last sequences 15 & 16), detailing, and deck placement
- Backfilling along shared wall areas
- MEP bang-its and sleeves
- Storm run piping and basin
- East side site fencing
- Steel Topping Off ceremony Nov 6
September 18, 2025 - Penn Medicine's scheduled October Construction Activities:
- Structural Steel Erection
- Geothermal Well Drilling
- Underground Utility Work
September 11, 2025 - Fencing and some plantings are scheduled to be installed at the end of the month.
July 16, 2025 - Construction crews will begin to work on Saturdays. Work will begin after 8 a.m.
June 24, 2025 - The Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors visited the construction site of Penn Medicine.
April 29, 2025 - Traffic/Speed Study and Traffic Signal Improvement
Montgomery Township’s Highway Safety Unit has requested that PennDOT conduct a traffic and speed study of DeKalb Pike to assess current conditions and identify potential safety improvements.
In addition, Penn Medicine is working closely with their contractor to expedite the installation of planned traffic signal upgrades in the area.
We will share the updated project timeline as soon as it becomes available.
April 16, 2025 - Geothermal Drilling & Water Line Installation Underway
Drilling for the geothermal well system has begun, and crews will be on-site daily to meet permit requirements and complete inspections.
In addition, installation of the water line loop around the property is now underway. North Wales Water Authority and a third-party firm, Pennoni, are both on-site each day to ensure the work is done properly and safely. Pennoni is also performing compaction testing during backfilling.
This phase of the project will continue over the next several weeks.
Blasting
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Blasting is scheduled March 18 through April 11, 2025
- All blasting activities are regulated by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Please call DEP at 484-250-5900 with any questions or concerns.
Pedestrian Plan During Construction
Sections of the sidewalk are closed during construction. Please follow the pedestrian crossing detour signs to navigate the area safely.
Associated Documents
- Presentation to Board of Supervisors September 18, 2024
- Site Plans
- Land Development & Landscape Plan
- Conceptual Plan
- Facility Photo Renderings
- Blasting Scope of Work
- Pedestrian Detour
- Press Releases