Gilbert has lost out to west Phoenix as the site for a new $80-million to $100 million cancer hospital to be built by Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Officials of Cancer Treatment Centers of America said Thursday they have selected the Algodon Medical Office Park at West Thomas Road and the Agua Fria leg of Loop 101 for the new 50-bed hospital over other sites they considered in Gilbert and Goodyear.
Vice Chairman Robert Mayo said the Schaumburg, Ill.-based company chose the west Phoenix location because the new center will be able to attract subspecialists who practice at the nearby Banner Estrella Medical Center. Also he said Phoenix is helping Cancer Treatment Centers of America acquire the land, which will make the project easier to finance.
Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman congratulated Phoenix on winning the project, adding that the town usually limits economic incentives to businesses that will generate hefty sale tax revenue, such as auto malls. He said Gilbert was only willing to waive fees for the hospital developers, who considered a site near Loop 202, Gilbert and Pecos roads.
“I’m happy for them,” he said of the Phoenix officials to worked to attract the cancer center. “Albuquerque is a good drive if you need that type of facility. I’m glad it landed in Maricopa County.”
Cancer Treatment Centers of America specializes in wholistic treatment methods that combine conventional can- cer therapies with alternative treatments in which patients and oncologists work with nutritionists, naturopathic practitioners, mind-body therapists, physical therapists and spiritual supporters to treat patients and families.
The Phoenix hospital will be the fourth in the company’s system. Others are in suburban Chicago, Philadelphia and Tulsa, Okla., and the company also operates an outpatient center in Seattle.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America officials expect the Phoenix hospital to attract patients from throughout the western U.S. who want to use their treatment model.
“Our patients travel an average of 500 miles to our existing facilities,” said Chief Executive Stephen Bonner. “This will help our patients in the western region of the United States eliminate some of the stress associated with traveling so they can focus on beating their disease.”
The four-story building will include inpatient rooms, intensive care rooms, surgical suites, radiation therapy and infusion departments, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation and physical therapy and on-site residential accommodations for visiting family members.
The center is expected to provide 260 jobs in its first year of operation. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
