Methodist is very pleased to be playing a part in the economic development of the Greater Peoria Region. We currently have six projects in motion, all of which are expected to be open to the public no later than October 2009:
- The Greater Peoria Specialty Hospital
- Central Illinois Endoscopy Center, LLC
- Methodist North at Allen Road
- Central Illinois Cancer Care Center
- Phase I of the Methodist Campus Replacement Plan— new entrance
- Phase II of the Methodist Campus Replacement Plan— new parking deck.
The Greater Peoria Specialty Hospital is a 50-bed facility dedicated to serving the needs of long-term acute care patients such as those who are ventilator-dependent. It is a complementary service to the existing health services offered by hospitals in our region. Currently, the closest long-term acute care hospitals are located in Chicago and St. Louis. Scheduled to open in July 2009, the Greater Peoria Specialty Hospital is located on Romeo Garrett Drive, just down the street from the Civic Center in Southtown.
The Central Illinois Endoscopy Center is a free-standing ambulatory surgery center located in the recently opened Illinois Medical Center on the campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, just across the street from Methodist. A joint venture with Illinois Gastroenterology Institute, its primary purpose is to provide convenient outpatient endoscopy services that address a growing need in central Illinois. It is expected to open no later than April 2009.
The Methodist North at Allen Road project will be an impressive 80,000-square-foot facility overlooking Route 6. The Methodist at Mt. Hawley pediatricians and family practice group, along with extensive imaging services, cardiology, physical therapy, pharmacy and education space, will provide a true “one-stop shop” for primary care needs for the whole family. This facility is expected to open in October 2009.
The Central Illinois Cancer Care Center, a joint venture with Midwest Urological Group, will expand our outstanding radiation therapy service to North Knoxville Avenue.
Phases I and II of the new Campus Replacement Plan, a new parking deck and new entrance, are currently underway. Primarily because of the rapidly increasing cost of construction materials, Methodist planned to break ground on Phases III and IV, the acute care replacement hospital and the conference and dining pavilion in October 2009. However, because of the volatility and uncertainty of the credit markets, increasing interest rates and weak economic conditions nationally, we are now planning to break ground in Spring 2010. However, there’s some good news: the current trend of declining prices may actually reduce the final price of our building project.
As you can tell, we expect 2009 to be another great year for Methodist and the friends and neighbors we serve. We can’t thank you enough for all of the support we’ve received which has meant so much to our success. On behalf of the Methodist family, I wish you a wonderful holiday season! iBi
