Central Health changes course on redeveloping Brackenridge site

Central Health has changed course on its plans to choose one master developer to redevelop the prime six-block site in downtown Austin that was once home to University Medical Center Brackenridge.

Travis County’s health district in October had selected Baltimore-based Wexford Science & Technology, one of several contenders, as its preferred partner for the years-long project, but Central Health officials announced Wednesday night at a budget and finance committee meeting that the firm has withdrawn from consideration.

Central Health owns the 14.3acre site at East 15th and Red River streets, which is awaiting its next chapter after the old hospital was closed last year and relocated to the newly built Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, diagonally across the street. The new hospital serves as an anchor for UT’s fast-growing medical school.

Central Health’s budget and finance committee voted Wednesday to recommend that Central Health President and CEO Mike Geeslin negotiate with other interested parties, including the 2033 Fund, a nonprofit. Committee members Sherri Greenberg, Abigail Aiken and Shannon Jones abstained.

The split with Wexford was amicable, Geeslin told the American-Statesman. As talks progressed in recent months, he said, it became clear to both sides that Central Health and Wexford had differing visions for the site.

By taking a different route, officials said they hope to speed up redevelopment and generate more revenue from the site.

“We appreciate Wexford Science & Technology participating in our procurement process,” Geeslin said. “It’s a time-intensive process that requires a thoughtful, comprehensive response and we wish them future success.

“At the same time, I commend