Developer Paul McKee remains on track with his previously announced plan to bring a small hospital to St. Louis’ north side.
On Wednesday, McKee sent a letter of intent to state health regulators who must approve the project before it can be built at the intersection of 25th and North Market streets.
The hospital site is within McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration project area.
In the letter, McKee detailed plans for a 13,110-square-foot, three-bed urgent care hospital that will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The project is expected to cost $6.1 million, according to the letter. McKee previously estimated the project would cost $1 million.
Jim Gradl, spokesman for McKee, said the original cost factored in only construction costs and no additional expenses that will be incurred.
People are also reading…
The letter states patients with traumatic injuries, or those who require surgery, would need to be transferred to nearby hospitals after being stabilized.
When asked why McKee is seeking a hospital designation instead of just an urgent care, Gradl said: “In order for us to treat, stabilize and observe patients overnight, we’re required to be licensed as a hospital.â€
McKee plans to request proposals from other area hospitals to run his proposed hospital, according to the letter.
McKee sits on the board of BJC HealthCare, the area’s largest employer. The nonprofit health system operates 12 hospitals in the area.
It’s unclear whether BJC would be interested in partnering with McKee. BJC declined to comment.
If approved, the urgent care hospital would be part of a larger $15 million health care and education campus, according to McKee’s previous statements.
McKee’s project will go before state health regulators for approval later this year.
