Proposed UAB West site
On oct. 7, Hoover City Council approved the purchase of the area of the map marked in orange, pending the developer's completion of a new road in the space and turn lane from State Highway 150. At the back of the development, UAB Medical West plans to construct an emergency facility.
For many residents of South Shades Crest Road and the surrounding areas, the closest emergency room is about 10 miles away. But following a Hoover City Council decision, those families could be feeling safer by the summer of 2015.
During its regular meeting on Oct. 7, the Hoover City Council approved an agreement that could help bring a freestanding emergency medical facility to the city. The proposed site is directly across John Hawkins Parkway from the entrance to The Grove shopping center.
According to Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate, when complete this development would include both the medical center and a large retailer, identified tentatively as a grocery store. The retail tenant would be closest to Alabama Highway 150, and the planned site for the emergency facility, proposed by UAB Medical West, is at the back of the property, further south toward I-459.
UAB Medical West CEO Keith Pennington outlined details about the facility to the Council during its regular work session on Oct. 3. Pate said UAB Medical West is planning an 18,000-square-foot facility, and said Pennington defined the proposed medical facility as a level-3 trauma center, the same designation as other area ERs.
As a level-3 center, it would have resources for emergency resuscitation and surgery but would be supported by a transfer agreement with a level 1 trauma center. The facility would also have the means to receive and send patients by helicopter.
Council Member John Lyda said the center is proposed to have 10 emergency treatment rooms and two trauma rooms and could see 12,000 to 15,000 patients each year.
UAB Medical West, located in Bessemer, filed for a Certificate of Need (CON) with the state in December 2011 and was approved in September 2012. A CON for Princeton Baptist Medical Center to build a freestanding ER in the same area was approved by the review board at the same time.
Development of the site includes planning by City of Hoover. Pate said that with new developments, the City can be responsible for providing infrastructure. However, Hoover elected for the developer to build both a new road into the site and turn lane from John Hawkins Boulevard.
The City agreed during the meeting to purchase that property upon completion. The Council passed a resolution executing a contract with Hoover Investment Partners LLC that sets aside $875,000 to purchase the new road and corresponding rights-of way.
"When we looked at how much it was all going to cost to do it ourselves, the total came out to more than $1 million," Pate said. "So, not only are we saving money, we won't be required to devote our resources to the construction."
Pate said the City would honor the contract only if certain conditions are met.
The contract states the developer would provide sewer construction as well as a survey and environmental assessments for construction on the parcel. It would also provide proof of a commitment for the emergency facility and “secure a letter of intent for the development on at least one outparcel or other retailer above 20,000 square feet or have at least one outparcel constructed or under construction.”
The contract adds that the developer is required to submit a Notice of Completion to the City within two years from the effective date of the contract for the City to purchase the property. Pate said the medical facility was given a tentative timeline of June 2015 for completion.
A request for more information from Medical West CEO Pennington was not returned by deadline.
