Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to Begin Construction in Davie County

March 5, 2012

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is about to begin construction on the first phase of its medical center in Davie County.

Consisting of an outpatient center and medical office building, the first phase is estimated to cost $79 million.  Approximately 200 jobs will be created by phase one, excluding construction jobs.

The complex will be named Wake Forest Baptist Health-West Campus. Site preparation has begun at the 88-acre tract on Hwy 801 at Interstate 40 near the Yadkin River.

The medical office building will be larger than originally planned.  It will be a four story, 60,000 square foot building containing physician offices.  Originally, the building was projected to be 35,000 square feet.

The outpatient center will be 101,000 square feet. The three-level building will contain an emergency department, outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging.

"The increased size of the medical office building will enable us to meet more of the needs of residents of the Davie County, western Forsyth County and southern Yadkin County region," said John McConnell, M.D., chief executive officer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  "The larger size also is a reflection of the interest by a broad range of physicians in having full time offices in a convenient location for patients." 

In describing the architecture of the buildings, McConnell said the design is contemporary and progressive while being open and airy with a friendly feel.  "The use of brick, stone and masonry reflects the architectural style on our main campus and other buildings while being compatible with the environment of eastern Davie County," added McConnell.

"The streams on the site meander between the footprint of the medical office building and outpatient center, making it a natural garden feature for the entire development," said Charles Auerbach, vice president of HKS, Inc., the architect for the medical center.  The buildings are joined by a connector that contains a common entrance lobby, said Auerbach.

HKS is working with Stimmel Associates of Winston-Salem, a landscape architectural and civil engineering firm, and Leach Wallace, a consulting engineering firm in Charlotte.

Summit Healthcare Group of Winston-Salem is developing the medical office building, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.

The outpatient center is a more complex structure with specialized equipment. The building is scheduled for completion late next year.

"This is a special day in the history of Davie County," said Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission.  "Our citizens are being rewarded for their unwavering support and patience.  Today's announcement is a major step toward securing high quality health care for our citizens, without funds from taxpayers.

"The plans announced today for a larger medical office building are a statement of the confidence in and commitment to every citizen of this county," continued Bralley. "This project will be a catalyst for future residential and commercial development, bringing highly skilled jobs and professionals to our community."

Phase two of the plan includes the development of hospital beds, scheduled to be completed in 2017.

Wake Forest Baptist will close Davie County Hospital in Mocksville when the hospital beds are open.  Employees will be transitioned to the new hospital or elsewhere in the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center system.

Summit Healthcare Group also is developing the commercial property on the site, called River Hill Commons.  Restaurants, shops, professional offices, banks and hotels have expressed interest in the development, said Joe Joseph, a partner at Summit.  "Interest is across the board in the commercial sector," he said, "and we expect more interest now that construction has begun."

Media Relations

Jonnie Rohrer: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587

Chad Campbell: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587

Megan Lee: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587