Visalia
- The Kaweah Delta Local Healthcare board of directors gave the final
green light to the 50,000 square foot medical complex to be built along
Akers Avenue on the hospital district's West campus.
“It's a very exciting project. We're thrilled,” said hospital CEO Lindsay Mann, noting it will be the last major project at the West Campus that includes the Cypress Surgery Center - soon to be renamed the Sequoia Surgery Center - Cypress Rehabilitation Hospital, a cancer treatment center and more. Also to be constructed at the site is Laural Court, the district's 40-bed dementia facility. That will be located on the east side of the 37-acre complex, with the new medical facility on the west side. With the two newest projects, 34 of the 37 acres will be developed.
Mann said work on both projects should begin this fall.
The medical complex is actually being built and developed by the Mangano Company in conjunction with the hospital district. Mann said the hospital will lease space on the first floor of the two-story complex for urgent care and physical therapy offices.
The initial work on the project started
with a feasibility study and analysis that concluded that the project
was feasible under certain circumstances and that there was demand for
approximately 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of building on the site.
The hospital has signed a 99-year ground lease with Mangano.
The top floor will be for orthopedics, said Dr. Bruce Le of Orthopedic Associates that at one time looked at building a complex on Plaza Drive. When that fizzled, it shifted its focus but now Le said the three surgeons that are part of the group are excited about the new project.
“We've been working on this project for about seven years. About three years ago Lindsay (Mann) offered us a Cypress slot. We decided it would behoove us to have other physicians come in with us,” said Le.
Several physicians have already committed to lease or purchase space in the complex, a concept Mann said is exciting not only for the hospital, but also for the physicians.
“Our main driver is to ensure success of physicians already in this community and those who will come to this community,” said Mann.
In addition to orthopedics, vascular surgeons, infectious disease and family practice doctors are also on board to have space. Lee said how many offices will be available depends on the needs of each doctor.
Dr. Ashraf Ghaly is another physician who has taken a lead role in the development, which is a partnership between Mangano, the doctors and the hospital.
“There are a lot of people who want to go in it,” said Ghaly, adding the driving force is to help the community by offering more services in a central location.
“Having collaborative work all together is the idea and to get the patient treated as fast as possible.”
He said the complex will have both a small imaging department and pharmacy so a patient could conceivably be seen by a doctor, x-rayed and get their prescription without leaving the building.
“I think it's exciting for the patients,” he added.
Steve Peck, vice president with The Mangano Company, said eventually the building will be owned by the doctors. Calling it a “flexible condo” concept, individual doctors will actually purchase their space in the building. Mangano will retain ownership of the portions of the building that will be leased to the hospital for physical therapy and its urgent care.
“We were surprised by the amount of need out there,” said Peck of the interest shown by a number of doctors.
Mann said the doctors are excited and have been willing to be a part of the project. “It is very likely we'll have a facility that is fully occupied upon opening,” he said.
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