Clarkston Medical Group and McLaren Health Care Corporation collectively broke muddy ground July 25 on a three-phase, $600 million McLaren Health Care Village. The complex will be built on Bowpointe Drive off Sashabaw Road in Independence Township.
CMG expects work to be complete on the 136,000-square-foot building and move from their current location, 6770 Dixie Highway, in the spring of 2009. A cancer center, 200-bed hospital, with possible future expansion, cardiac center, retail services and medical office buildings will accompany CMG in the village. The McLaren village should encompass 300,000 square feet total.
A crowd of more than a 100 gathered under tents to stave off the driving rain as leaders of CMG, McLaren, and local government officially kicked off the project, which promises to bring nearly 4,000 jobs, consolidate medical services, and reduce the burden of travel for patients. The village is expected to have an annual economic impact between $600-$800 million.
After pitching the idea of a new facility two years ago, CMG founder Dr. James O’Neill said McLaren became the favorites because it understood what the community wanted.
‘McLaren said, ‘We want to be your community hospital,?? O’Neill said.
‘They listened to what Clarkston is about.?
‘They clearly saw what we were attempting to do and it was consistent with their vision and they wanted for this community,? McLaren President and CEO Philip Incarnati said.
‘We’ve been good listeners, they knew much more about this community because of their history here. There was a lot we had to learn.?
Created in 1959, CMG grew from an office consisting of a bench and a converted closet and steadily expanded. With the discussions of what the future holds for CMG and its patients, O’Neill refused to overlook what helped the practice get where it is today, he said.
‘The doctors, care, quality and excellence is all we’re about. It can’t happen alone,? he said.
‘With all the technology, the one thing you still have to have is caring, and we care a lot.?
CMG partner and physician Dr. Renny Abraham recalled an emotional time growing up in Clarkston when his father was having heart trouble. The Abraham family traveled almost an hour each way to visit their father in the hospital as he suffered through cardiac distress in the hospital.
‘I look back on my own experience and I don’t want that for anyone in this room,? Abraham said. ‘I realized the most important thing we need in this community is comprehensive care in one area where people won’t get confused.?
CMG President Dr. Tim O’Neill recalled a meeting of the minds between CMG and McLaren at a local eatery more than two years ago, which sparked plans for the village.
‘We were looking to expand because we outgrew our current space,? he said. ‘We drew this whole thing up on a napkin. It was pretty simple and then it got complex.?
Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner was hoping to speak with Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office to get its views on the McLaren project and its potential impacts, including a need for widening the I-75 overpass at Sashabaw Road.
‘We’ve had very little comment from the Governor’s office on both projects,? Wagner said.
Granholm was invited to the event but did not attend.
Wagner is excited for the economic shot in the arm the health care village should provide.
‘We’ve got more than 600 houses for sale. With this project and the people (involved), it’s going to help our real estate and our local businesses,? Wagner said.
Wagner wasn’t sure how much of the expected annual impact, would remain in Independence Township.
After McLaren’s plans were submitted to the township informally two years ago, the two sides had to reach common ground.
‘Anytime you get into those negotiations, there are going to be differences,? Wagner said. ‘They met those demands.?
The township initially took issue with building locations and the layout of the village, he said.
McLaren sees a 200-bed hospital as part of the second phase, but prior to going forward, it must get a certificate of need from the state. Incarnati believes his company’s track record in obtaining CON’s is a positive sign.
‘We’re pretty confident that we can demonstrate the need for a hospital in this community and certainly the community feels very strongly that they want a hospital here,? Incarnati said.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, an Independence Township resident, said health care is one of the 10 sectors providing solid jobs that Oakland County is trying to encourage.
‘It’s more than an economic impact, I’m glad to see we’ll have a hospital nearby,? he said.