Cleveland Clinic reveals plans

Rep.: Design work for hospital at Newell Creek to begin this year

“At this point, our plans have evolved to building a hospital in order to provide both inpatient and outpatient care in Mentor.”

It has been more than two years since any sign of plans proceeding for a major Cleveland Clinic facility off Route 615 in Mentor.

However, that has changed with the health system’s CEO, Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, recently announcing that work will begin this year on a hospital on the site.

In late 2016, Cleveland Clinic signs were posted along Route 615 and Interstate 90 on its 47acre property at the southeast corner of the Newell Creek development. At the time, plans were for a facility similar to the Richard E. Jacobs Health Center in Avon with potential for a hospital addition in the future.

“At this point, our plans have evolved to building a hospital in order to provide both inpatient and outpatient care in Mentor,” said Angela Smith, director of corporate communications. “The size of the hospital has not been determined but will be based on the healthcare needs of the community. Initial design work for the project is scheduled to begin later this year. We will share more information as details become available.”

— Angela Smith, director of corporate communications

Four years ago, land was cleared for the project, at 8020 Center St. Cleveland Clinic had acquired the land — appraised at more than $7.5 million — in December 2012.

In September of that year, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the Newell Creek development plan allowing the substitution of a medical campus for a lifestyle center.

Allowed uses include a hospital, heliport, hotel, office building, retail store, gift shop, floral shop and parking garage.

“From the moment the Cleveland Clinic purchased land off Norton Parkway a few years ago, the Mentor community eagerly anticipated the announcement that occurred (last) week that the Clinic plans to begin work on a medical facility that provides both inpatient and outpatient care,” Mentor Economic Development Director Kevin Malecek said.

“The city further anticipates hearing more about the Cleveland Clinic’s approach for the property and looks forward to working with them to ensure that the construction and development meets the highest standards shared by both the Cleveland Clinic and the City of Mentor,” Malecek added.

Services at the Avon family health center include advanced specialty and primary care, a 24-hour emergency department, an outpatient surgery center, an infusion suite for chemotherapy, a full-scale imaging center, and retail optometry and pharmacy outlets. The facility also offers a large physical therapy area with two pools for aquatic therapy.

Last year, Lake Health opened the LiveHealthy Fitness Center at the Mentor Wellness Campus on Market Street. It includes recreation, lap and therapy pools.

In addition, the Planning Commission recently granted Hplex Solutions, a Columbus-based healthcare development and property management company, permission to subdivide 10 acres at 8140 Norton Parkway three ways for three medical office buildings.