Grafton continues to be the development hot spot of Ozaukee County in 2009.
The largest project under construction in the village is the four-story, 480,000-square-foot medical center that Aurora Health Care is building on a 105-acre plot northwest of the intersection of Highway 60 and Port Washington Road.
The site is near the intersection of Interstate 43 and Highway 60, an area that has attracted numerous retail developments in recent years.
The medical center will have 400,000 square feet of hospital space with 89 beds and an 80,000-square-foot medical office building.
The project is expected to be complete in late 2010 and will bring a major new employer to Grafton. The medical center is expected to employ 600 people when it opens.
Nancy Hundt, executive director of the Ozaukee County Chamber of Commerce, said she believes Aurora Health Care’s presence in Grafton will make it a regional medical destination and bring additional growth to the area.
“We’ve already had a very positive response with Aurora Health Care in our community,” Hundt said. “They’ve made it clear they’re going to support some nonprofits and some of our quality-of-life programs. In addition, the hospital will bring jobs and more residents, and that means customers for our local businesses.”
Grafton also is attracting development on the east side of Interstate 43.
Southeast of I-43 and Highway 60, construction began in September for a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel and a Gateway BP gas station and convenience store. West Bend-based American Design & Build is the developer for those projects.
The four-story, 83-room hotel is scheduled to open in summer 2009. Amenities will include a pool, fitness center, business and conference centers.
A Water Street Brewery restaurant also is planned for the area near the hotel and gas station/convenience store.
