Crews will break ground and begin construction on McLaren Health Care Village, a $600 million project designed to eventually include a five-story, 300-bed hospital, sometime this summer.
The Independence Township board, which first heard McLaren’s proposal to build a 77-acre facility at the southeast corner of Sashabaw Road and I-75 in December 2005, unanimously approved the final reading Thursday.
Board members Dan Kelly and Charles Dunn, whose law firms both contract with McLaren or its affiliates, recused themselves from taking part in discussions or voting on the issue. Trustee Dan Travis was absent from the meeting.
The approval gave McLaren the go-ahead to begin construction of phase one of the project, which will include a 132,000-square-foot, three-story medical office building, part of which will be occupied by the Clarkston Medical Group, Cancer Center, professional office building, retail and 836 parking spaces. Phase one is slated for completion in about two years.
Phases two and three will follow, with estimated completion in 7-10 years.
Phase two will include a 200-bed, five-story hospital, a four-story parking garage, a 50,000 square-foot medical office building expansion, heart center, outdoor plaza and village green.
Phase three will include a 100-bed expansion on the hospital, two medical office buildings, and a parking garage expansion.
McLaren Health Care Corp., which owns seven Michigan hospitals and has a presence in more than 150 locations, estimated the first phase of the project would bring about 1,000 new jobs to the area.
But some residents were skeptical of the development’s effect on the community.
‘I do believe the project will prove to be a negative for real growth and the quality of life standpoint in this township,? said resident and Citizens for Orderly Growth member Craig Bennett, noting concerns that taxability on phases two and three has not been established. ‘This immense project will so dominate and change the atmosphere of the community that many current and prospective residents will be turned off by its physically intrusive existence. It’s just too big to hide.?
Such a project, Bennett said, could encourage the development of other ‘mega projects,? and potentially cause a negative reaction among residents if the township increases costs or cuts current services to support the project.
Resident Michael Clark, however, supported the development.
‘This is, without a doubt, the best project that’s ever come to Independence Township,? he said. ‘One of the biggest things to consider is that when anyone needs medical assistance they’re not going to have to go to Grand Blanc or Pontiac or Crittenton. Sometimes minutes make a difference in saving someone’s life, and that’s something to think about.?
Treasurer Jim Wenger agreed the project couldn’t be hidden from view, and acknowledged that only time and experience would determine the project’s real impact on the community. However, Wenger said he believes the McLaren development is the best use of the land.
‘We have not accepted the first suitor that came to suit for us on this property,? he said. ‘We turned away at least two other projects not in the interest (or character) of this township. I think we’ve determined, as we went along, that there were certain things we did not want on that property.?
In addition, Wenger confirmed 100 percent taxability on the first phase of the project, and said hospital employees, patrons and others will give a ‘shot in the arm? to existing commercial enterprises, as well as encourage development of additional restaurants, hotels, and other sources of tax revenue.
‘This is an incredibly outstanding project,? said Trustee Larry Rosso. ‘With the state of affairs in Michigan, with the automotive industry reeling, it’s totally unrealistic that the property could be developed any better than this.?
Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen agreed, saying she’s been encouraged by unsolicited, positive feedback from surrounding communities.
‘None of us have a crystal ball,? she said. ‘But we do have to move forward we have to think positive. We’ve had good guidance’and well-drafted PUD. I think this is something we need to go forward with.?