After four years of running into road blocks, construction of a China Grove medical office building is finally taking off. Headed by Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, the new office plaza at the corner of Bostian Road and U.S. 29 is expected to boost the local economy and add an initial 22 jobs, if all goes as planned.
Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to announce plans.
When completed, the building will serve as offices for Dr. Trevor Allison and Dr. Holly Stevens, who are currently based on Thom Street in China Grove. Eventually, Novant hopes to add two additional physicians and one or two physician assistant positions, according to Laurie Ritchie, regional clinic manager. If all goes well, construction will begin on a second building, and then a third.
“We have growth built into this plan,” Novant Health Rowan Medical Center President Dari Caldwell said.
Caldwell, a Kannapolis native, began thinking about giving China Grove better access to health care in 2003. That was when Stag & Doe owner Gary Morton approached her and offered to sell a piece of his land for a medical office. At the time, it wasn’t feasible, Caldwell said. Over the next few years, the plot changed hands before Novant bought it and started planning for the office buildings in 2009.
“The timing is perfect for us,” Caldwell said.
China Grove Mayor Don Bringle has been advocating for better health care in southern Rowan for years, and said he’s glad to finally see the offices going up.
He also anticipates the economic boost and extra jobs the offices will bring. And he’s not the only one. The two physicians who will be based in the new building have high hopes for the plaza’s impact on the area.
“When a community has good health care access, it boosts the community as a whole,” Allison said.
Construction for the medical office building is expected to be completed in late summer or early fall of 2014. Allision and Stevens are currently accepting new patients.