By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
Trinity Medical Center’s new hospital on U.S. 280 will be known as Grandview Medical Center.
The new name was unveiled last week on the site of the unfinished HealthSouth hospital on Grandview Parkway.
Representatives from Community Health Systems, Trinity’s parent company, joined officials from Trinity Medical Center and Gov. Robert Bentley to announce the new name of the one million-square-foot hospital to a large crowd of local elected officials, business leaders and area residents.
“The new hospital deserves a name that captures the optimism and perspective of the world-class teams that will deliver care here and honors the progress and distinction they’ve achieved,” said Wayne T. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Community Health Systems.
A four-year court battle over the move ended in May when the Alabama Supreme Court refused to hear arguments from Brookwood Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Health Systems on why Trinity shouldn’t be allowed to move to the unfinished digital hospital off U.S. 280 near Interstate 459.
Brookwood and St. Vincent’s had sued Trinity to prevent the move, saying Trinity’s relocation would cost them millions of dollars. Both appealed an Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruling in November which backed Trinity’s efforts to move.
“I’m so sorry that it has taken so long,” Bentley said. “But this is going to be worth waiting for.”
Keith Granger, Trinity Medical Center president and CEO, said the new hospital represents a pivotal point in healthcare in the region.
“I know lives will be saved, and we can build something here that we are proud of for years to come,” he said.
The 65-acre campus where the hospital is located has long been identified as Grandview, and several corporate headquarters, including those of developer Daniel Corp., are located in the Grandview Plaza office park onsite.
Daniel Corp. bought the unfinished hospital from HealthSouth after that company’s billion-dollar accounting scandal came to light and in June sold it to Trinity for $37.6 million.
With the hospital’s completion planned, several additional projects are anticipated on the campus, such as physician office buildings and other healthcare spaces, along with hotels, office buildings, parking decks and retail businesses, according to Charlie Tickle, CEO of Daniel Corp.
“This is a very big deal on several fronts,” Tickle said. “This is going to transform a bad part of our city’s legacy into something that is going to help so many people.”
The entire development is expected to take 1-5 years to complete. Once finished, it is expected to create more than 9,000 jobs and add $405 million annually to the region.
The first year of construction alone is expected to create 4,000 jobs, generate more than $125 million in job earnings and produce more than $3.1 million in city and county tax revenue.
Trinity officials expect to spend about $300 million to finish the hospital and install equipment. Construction, which is being managed by Brasfield & Gorrie and A.G. Gaston Construction Co., should take between 18 and 24 months to complete.
Granger said Trinity will continue under its existing name as long as it operates on the Montclair Road campus.
“Our people, our quality of care and most importantly our commitment will remain the same when we relocate,” Granger said. “But our physical surroundings will change dramatically as we build out one of the most advanced hospitals in the country.”
Other speakers at the event included James Spann, chairman of the Trinity Medical Center Board of Trustees; Miller Gorrie, chairman of Brasfield & Gorrie, and Walter Howlett, president of A.G. Gaston Construction Co.
Birmingham Mayor William Bell was scheduled to speak at the event but was in Washington, D.C., at the time addressing Congress on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.
In a prepared statement, Bell predicted that Grandview Medical Center will have a massive economic impact for the city and the region.
Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza attended the event and said he thinks the new hospital and other developments planned on the campus will be good for Over the Mountain cities.
“This is going to help meet the healthcare needs of our citizens and help create jobs,” he said. “It will have a good impact on us because we have 32 acres off Cahaba River Road that we are planning to develop, and maybe these developments will spur other things along.”
What’s good for the Birmingham region, Zaragoza said, is also good for Over the Mountain communities.
For more information on Grandview Medical Center, visit www.GrandviewHealth.com.
