Baptist Medical Center plans $200 million tower

[thelakelander]

It looks like this project is picking back up.  I noticed this weekend that the Southeast Unit's demolition is already underway.


http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-jun-wolfson-childrens-hospital-expands

by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor

Baptist Medical Center will ask for approvals, but no public funds, this week to build a $200 million, 11-story tower at its Downtown Southbank Campus.

Baptist will ask the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission during its Thursday meeting for a resolution of support approving development rights.

Baptist, a full-service medical center, plans a combination adult and pediatric replacement bed tower and surgery, diagnostic and treatment center that it calls the Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Adult Tower.

In the commission’s project summary, Baptist reports the project will replace some existing, aging buildings on the campus.

The new tower would be a 339,404-square-foot center with six floors of a children’s hospital topped by five floors of an adult hospital.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=531165

[reednavy]

wasn't there an article done on here about that a year or so back?

[thelakelander]

Yes.  Here is a link: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-jun-wolfson-childrens-hospital-expands

[reednavy]

I did a quick skim through the article, no start date given?

[Captain Zissou]

I noticed it this weekend too.  They have a very big new crane on site (looks like a Liebherr; my favorite) and there looks to be some significant activity.  

[Jason]

I noticed that as well.  Wasn't sure if it was still sitting and waiting.  If this kicks off and starts going vertical while the courthouse in still UC, I95 commuters and passers through will easily get the impression that construction and progress is alive and well in Jax.

[blizz01]

I95 commuters and passers through will easily get the impression that construction and progress is alive and well in Jax.

If only they knew what was going on under that bridge every Saturday.....

[Jason]

^ Yup!

Need some SIGNS!!! 

[CS Foltz]

Passer by's or visitors may get that impression but those of us who live here, know better! I am really glad to see someone is building something without resorting to JEDC or City tax incentives.............now this is private enterprise at its best! How about that situation tufsu..............no tax dollars at work!

[reednavy]

Oh god, give it a damn break. Must you pollute nearly every thread with that stuff?

[thelakelander]

The economy has improved enough for Baptist Health to lift the hold it put on construction of an 11-story medical tower in downtown Jacksonville.

Hugh Greene, the chief executive officer and president of Baptist Health, said Monday that demolition of an existing building on the site of the future tower will start this month. Construction of the tower is slated for the fall. The overall cost for constructing and equipping the building will be around $200 million.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/2010-06-08/story/baptist-health-unfreezes-plans-building-11-story-medical-tower

[thelakelander]

From the article:

The improvements include providing a shuttle so employees can park at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and ensuring workers have shifts that avoid them being on the road during the usual rush-hour traffic times.

So there is no way to get these employees to use the skyway?

[stjr]

From the article:

The improvements include providing a shuttle so employees can park at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and ensuring workers have shifts that avoid them being on the road during the usual rush-hour traffic times.

So there is no way to get these employees to use the skyway?

Lake, how would you do that?  Have them drive to the garage, get on the Skyway, go a few blocks to Prudential, then get on a shuttle for the last leg under the Acosta bridge?  I suspect Baptist is thinking like so many others, myself included:  That is just too much trouble.  Easier to board the shuttle at the garage and head straight to work.  Another example of why the Skyway has so few riders.

[CS Foltz]

Gentlemen...........that would make sense, but won't happen! JTA in its infinite wisdom would rather provide a shuttle service, at a slight nominal charge, rather than expanding Skyway! I voted to pull its plug, even though I feel it has potential, but only in an expanded situation and there are no plans to do that is there?

[stjr]

^CS, is JTA running the shuttle?  I figured it was Baptist since they run remote parking lot shuttles now from what I see driving through their properties.  Either way, the fact that someone is willing to incur the expense of running a shuttle over using the Skyway speaks more volumes about the failing feasibility of the Skyway versus other mass transit options.