Limestone County's largest healthcare project in recent memory will break ground today, creating jobs and providing medical services in the Athens area.
A rendering of the new outpatient surgery center at Athens-Limestone Hospital's Medical East campus near the U.S. 72-Lindsey Lane intersection. (Courtesy)
INKANA Development, OrthoSports Athens and Athens-Limestone Hospital will begin construction on a $25 million outpatient surgery center and medical office building at the hospital's Medical East campus on 22454 U.S. 72 in Athens.
The 75,000-square-foot expansion of Athens-Limestone Hospital's Surgery Department will include a three-story outpatient surgery center with six operating rooms, imaging and lab services, and physician office space.
Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said the outpatient surgery center is just one project in development by the U.S. 72-Lindsey Lane intersection. A nearby private medical practice is under construction now, while Traditions, a 63-unit assisted living facility, is taking applications for new residents.
"That entire area is all really important for the growth and development and the quality of healthcare for all of the city of Athens and Limestone County," Marks told AL.com. "We're really excited about this opportunity today and what it means to our citizens."
Felicia Lambert, spokeswoman for Athens-Limestone Hospital, said the new facility will debut in spring 2018. Chapman Sisson Architects, Robins & Morton and Progress Bank are assisting with the project.
Alabama's medical Certificate of Need Review Board approved construction of the outpatient surgery center in 2015. It will be part of the Huntsville Hospital network, which includes hospitals in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Moulton, Red Bay, Sheffield, Russellville, Haleyville, and Winfield.
Athens-Limestone Hospital, an affiliate of the Huntsville Hospital since 2007, authorized a 40-year lease with the not-for-profit health system in 2016. The agreement allowed Huntsville Hospital to assume responsibility for Athens-Limestone Hospital's finances and daily operations.