Memorialhermann system plans medical center in Cypress

The region’s hospital building boom continues, with Memorial Hermann Health System saying it intends to build a “substantial” medical center on 32 acres off U.S. 290 and near the Grand Parkway in Cypress.

The announcement of a land purchase comes as the health system prepares for a $650 million expansion and renovation at its flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

The purchase price for the site was not disclosed, and a system spokesman said there was no projected cost for the hospital because the project is still in the design phase.

“We are still doing a full assessment,” Memorial Hermann spokesman John Ambler said, adding that the health system wants to increase its presence in the area.

“There’s a great demand, and Memorial Hermann is under-represented in the Cypress area, “he said.

Memorial Hermann, the largest Houston-area health system, operates 12 hospitals.

The new hospital will be south of Mason Road and northwest of Mueschke Road, onthe northeast side of U.S. 290 and southeast of the Grand Parkway.

Although administrators are early in the project development process, Memorial Hermann President and CEO Dan Wolterman said in a written statement that plans call for “substantial inpatient and outpatient capabilities needed by the rapidly growing Cy- press area communities.”

Memorial Hermann leaders have been considering expansion in the Cypress area for at least a year, Ambler said.

Houston Methodist announcing it was launching a pair of multimilliondollar projects, including a 193-bed hospital in The Woodlands and a major upgrade to its traditional home in the Texas Medical Center, spending $868 million to cement its stake as a leading care provider and multispecialty academic power locally.

Houston’s medical providers have committed some $2 billion for hospital and health care projects, all set to launch within months.