A new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital will be at the center of an exciting 500-plus-acre development that will bring multiple partners together to transform the city’s southeast side into a destination for advanced health care services, medical education, a commercial, retail and residential development, and a possible new home for Andrean High School.
“This location will better serve a growing population and a state-of-the-art facility will deliver the latest healthcare technology to the community,” said Cal Bellamy, chairman of the Board of Directors, Franciscan Alliance, Northern Indiana Division. “We’re thrilled to begin planning a comprehensive medical and educational development that will serve both body and mind.”
The property on the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and U.S. 231 currently includes Franciscan Health Franciscan Point and a University of St. Francis facility. The development of 120 acres will add a new regional medical center better suited for the growing south Lake County and nearby areas in Porter, Newton and Jasper counties. The project will also double the size of the USF campus and expand Franciscan Point’s ortho ambulatory surgery center as a center of excellence in Northwest Indiana. A 60-acre parcel will serve as a potential home to Andrean High School’s new facilities. Approximately 250 acres is reserved for residential development and Tonn and Blank Construction will be developing an additional 80 acres for commercial use.
“Tonn and Blank Construction is excited to be a part of this community-centric development. With the addition of Tonn and Blank’s 80 acres of commercial and retail development, this 510-acre site will bring together healthcare, education, and housing in a growing area of Crown Point,” said Jon Gilmore, President and CEO of Tonn and Blank Construction. “When complete, this area will provide the community with an abundance of necessary services.”
For the residential, retail and commercial portion of the development, Mississippi Parkway Partners is working with a variety of development partners on residential options that represent current market interest in multi-family units, townhomes and patio homes, along with a plan for commercial/business park development.
Crown Point Mayor David D.F. Uran said, “This announcement is a generational development that we haven’t seen in decades, and I’m proud that Franciscan Health has partnered to enhance the educational and health care needs of our great city. It will create new jobs and professions, including using our local trades and skilled labor force for the new construction involved, notwithstanding all the educational, medical, and nursing fields to be represented and expanded. It truly is an example of collaboration and vision that will benefit not only the City of Crown Point, but all surrounding communities as well. Franciscan has always worked on behalf of our community and their support for our city government – our people, programs, facilities, and our future goals. We congratulate Franciscan Health on their latest expansion and continued progressive commitment to the City of Crown Point.”
University of Saint Francis President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF, said, “We’re grateful to have this opportunity to expand our nursing and health science programs through this exciting development spearheaded by Franciscan Alliance. I look forward to the continued partnership between the University of St. Francis and Franciscan Alliance to meet the increasing demand for healthcare professionals.”
The Gary Diocese Schools Office released a statement saying they are excited and grateful to potentially be a partner in such a historic endeavor. “We would like to thank Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairwoman of Franciscan Alliance’s Board of Trustees, and her team at Franciscan Alliance for providing us with this opportunity to be a part of this bold and visionary plan. Eventually, only our newly appointed Bishop can render a final decision on a new Andrean project. However, as we continue to discuss and discern we ask for the continued support and prayers from the alumni, friends, and benefactors of Andrean High School and Catholic education.”
Kevin Leahy, Franciscan Alliance president and chief executive officer, said Franciscan is excited by commitments from the University of Saint Francis to double the size of its healthcare degree programs in Crown Point, a large new housing subdivision, a potential new high school facility by the Gary Diocese Schools, and the economic growth that this project will bring to Crown Point and Northwest Indiana. “Our Franciscan values are all about meeting the needs of those we are privileged to serve. That’s not only by providing the highest quality healthcare, but also contributing to quality of life by supporting the foundational institutions of our community. This development will be a place where people can live, learn, work and thrive.”
The current Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital at 1201 S. Main St. will continue to provide outstanding healthcare for the community as the new site is developed. Franciscan Alliance is exploring future uses for the present facility once the new hospital opens, slated for 2022. “Our wonderful Main Street site is going to be a functioning asset for the community for many years to come,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD.
The original St. Anthony Medical Center, which opened in 1974, was purchased from Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in 1999 by Franciscan Alliance and has undergone multiple expansions to meet the healthcare needs of the surrounding communities. “The development of a new hospital will help us to provide new opportunities and position Franciscan Health Crown Point into the next generation of medical care, while upholding our mission of continuing Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition,” said Sister Jane Marie Klein.
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