Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center recently filed documents to the Georgia Department of Community Health about launching a $171 million expansion project.

The project would include demolishing the oldest portion of the hospital, constructing a seven-story tower and renovating existing nursing units. The hospital’s capacity would remain at 359 beds.

The project would involve the construction of about 220,000 square feet and renovation of about 260,000 square feet of the existing facility.

If the project is approved, the completion date will be in August of 2022.