TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Council OKs Expansion Of North Bay Hospital

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - It's a done deal.

Tuesday night, the city council gave final approval to Morton Plant North Bay Hospital to break ground on a $49 million expansion of its 120-bed Madison Street campus.

The preliminary site plans, which the council approved unanimously, include additions to the southern end of the hospital; a separate four-story medical office building east of the proposed additions; and a walk-in clinic.

'This is a welcome addition to the city,' Mayor Dan Tipton said Tuesday night.

The expansion project is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

Community Hospital and North Bay, the city's two largest employers, announced plans in 2002 to move their critical care operations to an area east of Seven Springs Boulevard.

North Bay, owned by Morton Plant Mease Health Care, had proposed a new facility next to its Trinity Outpatient Center. Community Hospital proposed a 376-bed hospital.

The state's Agency for Health Care Administration approved both relocations but its decision was challenged in court. A March 2004 ruling by Florida Administrative Law Judge William R. Pfeiffer approved Community's move but rejected North Bay's.

The ruling was a setback for Morton Plant in its bid to expand a network of health care facilities in the region. Shortly after, the hospital announced its expansion plans.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT