Rezoning OKd for firm seeking hospital

Waukesha Freeman, Feb. 24, 2006

By KOLLIN KOSMICKI
Freeman Staff
kkosmicki@conleynet.com

WAUKESHA - The Waukesha Common Council approved Thursday a request to rezone 40 acres to allow for potential construction of the countys first acute-care hospital.

The approval came with little discussion from aldermen after a public hearing during which an attorney for the interested company, Texas-based LifeCare Hospitals, was the only speaker.

LifeCare plans next to submit a detailed proposal for the site Tuesday, said the firms Milwaukee attorney, Deborah Tomczyk.

The firm is proposing to team with GE Healthcare Technologies to build a 60-bed, acute-care hospital on the land previously owned by the Waukesha company bordering Interstate 94 just southwest of GE Healthcares headquarters.

An acute-care hospital treats extremely ill patients who often have respiratory problems and severe wounds and who usually require extended visits.

City Planner Mike Hoeft mentioned to council members two areas of potential concern, including a lack of water pressure nearby suitable enough to support the hospital and a wetlands along the property.

Company representatives seem confident they can be resolved, he said.

Obviously, the hospital is not going to be built there if they dont have adequate water, Hoeft told aldermen.

The new hospital would serve as a transfer of sorts for Life-Care, which currently operates its area acute-care hospital at St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee. The company has been seeking a freestanding building for the operation.

A company executive told aldermen the estimated value of the hospital building is $15 million.

Under the arrangement between LifeCare and GE Healthcare, most medical and computer equipment there would come from the Waukesha company, which would use the facility to promote its products while in use.

The project is not expected to attract much controversy or concerns about potential competition because such places often work hand-in-hand with other hospitals intensive care units.