Research Medical Center, part of HCA Midwest Health, announced plans to redevelop its Research Brookside Campus.
The improvement project is expected to be completed by 2018 and involves existing tax increment financing (TIF) for reuse of a 53-year-old vacant tower, formerly occupied by Baptist Medical Center, and an adjoining parking lot into 150 one-, two- and three-bedroom independent living apartments.
Tony Krsnich, the developer with Flint Hills Holdings Group explained that the project will cost an estimated $40 million and it's scheduled to be completed in late 2018.
"We will have rooms for independent living, assisted living, and skilled memory care," Krsnich said.
In addition, the tower will receive:
- A new energy-efficient power plant.
- Environmentally friendly geo-thermal heating and cooling systems.
According to the news release, currently the tower has a tunnel connecting the Research Brookside Medical Office Building, which is almost 100 percent occupied with nearly 500 employees.
The tower is located in the same building at the existing Brookside Health and Fitness Center, which houses an indoor swimming pool and offers multiple exercise and fitness classes. The plan is to also offer these amenities to residents of the redeveloped facility.
Research Medical Center CEO, Jackie DeSouza-Van Blaricum is excited about the project because it offers seniors the ability to live in their apartments and come down stairs to get all the health care services they would need.
"We have an ER, an operating room, imaging services, specialists, primary care physicians and a pharmacy; it's pretty amazing," said DeSouza-VanBlaricum.
The Research medical building is connected to the old Baptist Hospital building so patients would never have to go outside to get medical care.
"This project is also exciting because we believe it will encourage new development along the Troost corridor and help boost the economy in the area," said DeSouza-VanBlaricum
Research Medical Center owns the building and is working with Flint Hills Holdings on the redevelopment project. The news release states Flint Hills Holdings will sign a long-term lease for the tower and will seek local partners, including contracting for licensed medical aspects of the space, food service and more.
The tower project will retain 20-plus existing jobs and create approximately 50 new jobs.
Research Medical Center is celebrating its 130th anniversary. For more information about Research Medical Center, visit researchmedicalcenter.com.
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