"This is a historical moment in the history of El Paso health care," hospital CEO Jim Valenti said. "This is the largest expansion and modernization plan of any facility in El Paso history, and will serve to provide better access, better health care and (more) health careers to El Pasoans."

The plan marks the first of two large-scale construction projects there. The groundbreaking for the $120 million voter-approved children's hospital will take place at the hospital campus in February.

The Central El Paso neighborhood surrounding the hospital is expected to benefit from the construction at Thomason as well as from the ongoing work at the new and nearby Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

"Investment like this hasn't happened in this part of town ever, I think," said County Commissioner Veronica Escobar, who represents the area. "The fact we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars south of the freeway in a neighborhood that has very deep community roots, generations of families, strong high schools, strong neighborhoods and strong relationships is a very beautiful thing."

On a larger scale, the development is expected to not only benefit El Paso's economy but also to expand health-care options.

Hospital and medical school officials are working to recruit doctors to the hospital from all over the country.

"We're trying to get the very best doctors in America and anywhere else to come to El Paso and make it their home and provide care for our citizens," hospital district Board of Managers Chairman Ron Acton said.

Valenti said the specialties would include cardiology, critical care, gastroenterology, pediatrics, radiology, pathology, anesthesiology and emergency medicine.

"This is going to vastly improve the access to health care, the access to doctor's visits, to doctor's appointments and to seeing a doctor in the emergency room," he said.

Changes at the district physically and in practice have also helped improve Thomason's image in recent years, county officials said.

"Everybody thought of the hospital as being the hospital of last resort. The poor were always looking forward to coming here and not paying a penny.

Well, there's no free lunch," Commissioner Miguel Terán said. "This is going to become the health center of the Southwest. It's on its way now."

Escobar and others were also enthusiastic about the future.

"We're not a small town anymore," Escobar said. "We're a thriving metropolitan area, and we need to provide for the needs of the residents in such an area."

Erica Molina Johnson may be reached at emolina@elpaso times.com; 546-6132.