The new children’s rehabilitation hospital at Mary Free Bed is getting some curve appeal. This week, an 80-foot-tall arch was installed over Wealthy Street.
This 126,000-pound arch spans 100 feet, stretching over the skywalk connecting Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital and Mary Free Bed. The steel arch was prefabricated in six sections, each roughly 60 feet in length. The arch’s foundation rests 35 feet underground.
A Symbol of Hope and Connection
“We chose an arch for its powerful symbolism,” said Kent Riddle, president and CEO of Mary Free Bed. “Just as this structure spans Wealthy Street to connect our facilities, it represents the bridge we’re building toward brighter futures for our young patients. For families arriving from near and far, this arch stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder that freedom and independence are within reach.”
Collaborative Construction Effort
The arch installation was a team effort between Granger Construction and Pure Architects. VanDellen Steel fabricated the arch, while Pioneer Construction handled the installation.
The Currie family’s generosity and vision also helped bring the arch to life as a bold reminder of possibility, progress and hope.
Michigan’s First Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
The new arch is just one part of the new construction for the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture between Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. It was announced in 2022 and then broke ground in August 2024.
With completion slated for fall 2026, Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will be Michigan’s first children’s rehabilitation hospital and the ninth in the country.
Media Coverage of the installation
See a gallery of photos of the installation below
