By Derek R. Smith, Daily Reporter
dsmith@greenfieldreporter.com
MCCORDSVILLE - Hancock Regional Hospital has scaled back plans for its McCordsville medical office.
"Due to the economic environment of the world today, the building size has gone from 55,000 to about 27,000 square feet," said Rob Matt, vice president of business development and marketing for HRH. "It just didn't seem the right time to go out on a limb with speculative space."
Although much smaller, the facility will feature the same types of services originally planned - like imaging, physical therapy, laboratory, primary care and urgent care, Matt said.
Given the weakened economy, doctors are less likely to want to move to a new facility, he explained.
It will cost about $2 million to build the building shell, Matt said. Three companies bid for the construction project, and hospital officials will make a decision this week, he added.
"There's going to be plenty of traffic in that area," said Bobby Keen, president/CEO of HRH, who mentioned plans for a Lowe's and a retirement community in the vicinity. "We still feel we're making the right decision as far as location."
The facility is planned along Mt. Comfort Road between CRs 800N and 900N. Hancock Regional will serve as the anchor tenant with about 12,000 square feet of space.
Hancock Physician Network will take another 6,000 square feet of space. HPN is a primarycare network of physicians who work in Hancock and Marion counties. Specialties include internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice, pulmonary medicine and mental health, according to www.hancockphysicians.com.
St. Vincent Health has made a verbal commitment to take about 5,000 square feet of space in the facility, Matt said.
"They'll fill it with different specialists at different times during the week," Matt said. "We're talking to them about pediatric specialists - and carrying with them the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital name as well."
Since the scope of the facility has changed, HRH will have to receive approvals for the amended plans from the county and Town of McCordsville.
"Best case, we're probably not breaking ground until May," Matt said. "If we break ground in May, it will be open for business in January (2010)."