UNC’s Eastowne redevelopment project is moving forward after a revised planning hearing with the Chapel Hill Town Council. On September 19th, the Council unanimously approved a special use permit for the construction of a six-story, 153,000-square-foot medical office building. Site preparation will begin this fall, with an official groundbreaking ceremony expected in the Spring of 2019. The opening is anticipated in the summer of 2020.
The department of medicine will have a significant presence with a multi-disciplinary approach that will include onsite radiology and laboratory services. Dr. Cristin Colford, the department of medicine’s newly-appointed vice chair of clinical services, says planners are close to finalizing the building’s specialties and ancillary offerings. She also confirms clinical trials will be part of Eastowne.
“We are very excited about the future as we plan for this new access to both primary care and subspecialties that will integrate patient care with clinical research and appreciate everyone who is working with us to create a differentiating multi-disciplinary experience for our patients.”
The new medical office building will be a prominent gateway into Chapel Hill, along 15-501. To remain competitive in an increasingly challenging healthcare landscape, the UNC Health Care project will focus on improving the patient experience, with a design that enables interprofessional team based care and collaboration across specialties, in a state-of-the-art facility.
“We want to make the care experience easier for patients, by coordinating services in one location. Members of the department are working together to rethink and redesign how care can be delivered in a time and cost-efficient, patient-centered manner.”
Parking is expected to be a combination of a new parking structure and existing surface parking. Plans will also integrate existing and future public transportation.
For more information, visit Chapelboro News or the Town of Chapel Hill.