Queen Creek Town Council approves medical-office site

by Kathleen Stinson - May. 8, 2012 11:31 AM Special for The Republic

Queen Creek got a big boost when the Town Council approved construction of a large medical office building, paving the way for for what it hopes will be an influx of medical jobs.

The 87,410-square-foot health center will be on an 11.78-acre parcel of land on the west side of Ellsworth Loop Road south of Victoria Lane in the Town Center.

Banner Health Center-Queen Creek is expected to provide office space for 12 physicians and a staff of 30-35 employees in the first phase; the single-story structure will eventually contain 23,426 square feet.

The second phase will add a two-story building with another 63,984 square feet and is expected to provide offices for 36 physicians and a staff of 135-140 employees.

Total cost of the building through Phase 2 is estimated to be $45 million, said Bill Smith, project supervisor for Banner Health Systems. Construction is expected to begin in August with a tentative date opening in April.

The council last week approved a request from C. Dale Willis, on behalf of Victoria Lund Investment Group, LLC, to rezone the land from a multiple residential to general commercial with a planned area development overlay. The town also approved the site plan.

Council member Robin Benning said attracting such an employer into the town center would generate higher-income jobs than would help nearby fast-food restaurants and retail businesses.

Doreen Cott, the town economic development director, said the location of Banner Health Center is "also within the town's redevelopment area, which not only helps to meet the redevelopment goals of the community, but also serves as an employment anchor in the Town Center. Projects like this also tend to become an economic catalyst for other health care-related businesses."

"I'm excited about bringing this project to Queen Creek," Vice Mayor Jeff Brown said. "It is a good first step in establishing a relationship with Banner."

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Queen Creek Town Council approves medical-office site