$80 Million New Hospital Construction Project Begins ~ Wake Forest Baptist Health – West Campus

The sights and sounds of construction are beginning in Davie County, North Carolina as site preparation begins for phase one of the $80 million Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center complex on Highway 801 at Interstate 40.  Phase one will consist of an outpatient center and medical office building.  Approximately 200 jobs will be created by phase one, excluding construction jobs.

The complex will be named Wake Forest Baptist Health – West Campus.

Larger Than Originally Planned
The medical office building will be larger than originally planned.  It will be a four story, 60,000 square foot building containing physician offices.  The building was originally projected to be 35,000 square feet.

The outpatient center will be 101,000 square feet.  The three-level building will contain an emergency department, outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging.

“The increased size of the medical office building will enable us to meet more of the needs of residents of the Davie County, western Forsyth County and southern Yadkin County region,” said John McConnell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  “The larger size is also a reflection of the interest by a broad range of physicians in having full time offices in a convenient location for patients.”

Contemporary Design Incorporates Natural Features
In describing the architecture of the buildings McConnell said, “The design is contemporary and progressive, while being open and airy with a friendly feel.  The use of brick, stone and masonry reflects the architectural style on our main campus and other buildings while being compatible with the environment of eastern Davie County,” added McConnell.

“The streams on the site meander between the footprint of the medical office building and outpatient center, making it a natural garden feature for the entire development,” said Charles Auerbach, Vice President of HKS, Inc, the architect for the medical center.  “The buildings are joined by a connector that contains a common entrance lobby,” said Auerbach.

HKS is working with Stimmel Associates of Winston Salem, a landscape architectural and civil engineering firm, and Leach Walllace, a consulting engineering firm in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Summit Healthcare Group of Winston Salem is developing the medical office building which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.

The outpatient center is a more complex structure with specialized equipment. The building is scheduled for completion late next year.

Development Will Bring High Skilled Jobs and Professionals to Davie County
“This is a special day in the history of Davie County,” said Terry Bralley, President of the Davie County Economic Development Commission.  “Our citizens are being rewarded for their unwavering support and patience.  Today’s announcement is a major step toward securing high-quality healthcare for our citizens, without funds from our taxpayers.”

“The plans announced today for a larger medical office building are a statement of the confidence in and commitment to every citizen of this county,” continued Bralley.  “This project will be a catalyst for future residential and commercial development, bringing highly skilled jobs and professionals to our community.”

Thank You Davie County Hospital Employees
Phase two of the plan includes the development of hospital beds, scheduled to be completed in 2017.  Wake forest Baptist will close Davie County Hospital in Mocksville when the hospital beds are open. Employees will be transitioned to the new hospital or elsewhere in the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Care system.   “This project reflects well on the professionalism, commitment to Davie County citizens, and hard work of the employees of Davie County Hospital,” said Bralley.

River Hill Commons
Summit Healthcare Group also is developing the commercial property on the site, called River Hill Commons.  Restaurants, shops, professional offices, banks and hotels have expressed interest in the development, said Joe Joseph, a partner at Summit.  “Interest is across the board in the commercial sector,” he said, “and we expect more interest how that construction has begun.”

About Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is a fully integrated academic medical center located in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  The institution comprises the medical education and research components of Wake Forest School of Medicine, the integrated clinical structure and consumer brand Wake Forest Baptist Health, which includes North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Brenner Children’s Hospital; the commercialization of research discoveries through the Piedmont Triad Research Park, as well as a network of affiliated community-based hospitals, physician practices, out[patient services and other medical facilities.  Wake Forest School of Medicine is ranked among the nation’s best medical schools and is a leading national research center in fields such as regenerative medicine, cancer, neuroscience, aging, addiction and public health services.  Wake Forest Baptist’s clinical programs are consistently ranked as among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report.