Aurora Health Care intends to build a new medical center to replace its Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center.
The Milwaukee-based health care provider submitted a proposal nearly two years ago to build an ambulatory surgery center and medical office building in Sheboygan to supplement its operations at Sheboygan Memorial. But an Aurora representative told BizTimes on Monday the hospital system has expanded the scope of the project and now intends to build a “replacement hospital” in addition to a medical office facility.
“In recent months, we have taken the opportunity to reevaluate the scope of the proposed ambulatory surgery center and medical office facility,” wrote Aurora spokesperson Tami Kou in an email. “We are pleased to announce our intentions to move forward with a medical center, which includes a replacement hospital and medical office facility, to best serve the health needs of the community.”
Aurora originally proposed in February, 2015 to build a two-story, 66,000-square-foot medical office building and a one-story, 46,000-square foot ambulatory surgery building with a 10,000-square-foot rooftop penthouse on the site of the Field of Dreams sports complex in Sheboygan. At the time, the project was expected to cost more than $86 million.
Building a full hospital to replace the existing Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center would be a considerably larger and more expensive project. Kou said specific details for the project have not yet been determined.
Aurora leaders are still eyeing the Field of Dreams site at Saemann Avenue and Taylor Drive on Sheboygan’s north side, which is kitty-corner from competitor Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) St. Nicholas Hospital, as a potential development site.
“We believe that the Saemann Avenue and Taylor Drive location remains ideal and would allow for the best health care access for the residents of Sheboygan,” Kou wrote. “We want to continue to work with the Sheboygan Area School District and the city to proceed with this site, but understand that doing so requires community input and government approvals.”
The Field of Dreams complex is owned by the Sheboygan Area School District and sale of the land would have to be approved by the school board. In its original proposal, Aurora said it intended to contribute $5 million to build athletic facilities to replace the ones it would build over.
Plans for what would happen to the current Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center campus at 2629 N. 7th St. have also not been determined.
“We look forward to engaging with city leaders and residents to develop a plan to use the land/building of the current Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center campus in the best interests of the neighborhood,” Kou said.
