The city of Thornton is partnering with the North Suburban Medical Center to create a plan for the development of an that city officials say will be an economic boost to areas in south Thornton.
“This project has what we refer to as ‘catalytic properties,’ ” said John Cody, Thornton’s director of economic development. Ideally, the project will “create economic activity primarily through quality jobs that will be associated with the development as well as some property taxes that will be generated from the development itself. It also acts as an anchor in terms of related development.”
The city is in the early stages of planning for the project, which was identified this year as the best possible way to rejuvenate the area along Grant Street between Thornton Parkway and Russell Street.
“We completed the South Thornton Urban Renewal Area study, and the result of that plan identified the health-care district as the best opportunity for redevelopment in the south area that had some economic impacts beyond just the confines of the development itself,” Cody said.
The area is part of the South Thornton Urban Renewal Plan area.
Of the 88 targeted acres for the project, about 30 acres are vacant. The Thornton Development Authority owns that land and will begin discussion next month on the creation of a master plan, and will publish a request for proposal sometime next year.
Based on the recommendations of consultants working with the city, these empty parcels would be best used as medical office buildings and continuum-of-care facilities (such as independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and memory care).
The Center for Spinal Disorders, North Denver Orthopedic Specialists, Mountain View Orthopedics and the Women’s Health Group are all located around the North Suburban Medical Center, between 88th Avenue and Thornton Parkway.
The hospital itself underwent a renovation in 2015, including an expanded emergency department as well as new clinical equipment for interventional radiology, MRI and digital X-ray.
“This partnership to develop a health-care district is another example of NSMC’s commitment to providing trusted care to the community,” said Jennifer Alderfer, president of North Suburban Medical Center. “Any development in the area that will support the health and well-being of the community members only serves to enhance the NSMC mission. “
In August 2014, Thornton staff started working with North Suburban to create a public/private master plan to guide and encourage development of the land and buildings surrounding the hospital.
An agreement of partnership on the project was signed last month.
“The idea is to be partners in this way so that the hospital is not just a stakeholder, but a partner in the project,” said Martin Postma, a senior policy analyst for Thornton.
For their part of the agreement, North Suburban will assist in attracting medical-centric organizations to the area.
“North Suburban Medical Center is pleased to partner with the city of Thornton in redevelopment efforts along the Grant Street corridor to create a health-care district, with the medical center as a key centerpiece,” Alderfer said. “(We) look forward to providing guidance on complementary health-care developments.”
Megan Mitchell: 303-954-2650, mmitchell@denverpost.com or @Mmitchelldp
