Shands Jacksonville recently announced that its application for a Certificate of Need to build a new medical campus in north Jacksonville has been approved by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
Shands Jacksonville had filed the CON application earlier this year, seeking the state’s approval to move forward with the project. With today’s decision Shands is now setting a timetable to begin construction of the facility at Interstate 95 and Duval Road and will announce its plans and a schedule in the near future.
“We would like to thank the state for accepting our proposal to serve the growing healthcare needs of the north Jacksonville community,” said Dr. David S. Guzick, senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of the UF&Shands Health System. “As we have said previously, this decision by UF&Shands represents a long-term commitment to the residents of the growing region, and they will be well-served by the high-quality care offered by Shands.”
The state-of-the-art 100-bed facility will be located at the northeast corner of I-95 and Duval Road. Shands Jacksonville acquired the land with the intent to construct a medical office building with outpatient services and a hospital. The first phase of construction will include an ambulatory services and medical office building that houses community and University of Florida physician practices. Projected services will include primary care, specialty physician practices, diagnostic services, urgent care and outpatient surgery.
“This decision represents a milestone for the residents of north Jacksonville because they will now have the best healthcare facilities located closer to their homes and businesses,” said Jim Burkhart, president and CEO of Shands Jacksonville. “We are thankful that the state is allowing us to move forward with this vital project and we are especially grateful to the local community and business leaders who have supported this project since its inception.”
Estimated cost at this point for the hospital portion of the project is approximately $125 million, which will be funded through philanthropy, retained earnings and bond financing. Construction could be completed within three to five years.
