Local leaders and officials from Carolinas HealthCare System turned over dirt in a ceremony groundbreaking for CHS’s new behavioral health hospital Friday. (CHS photo)

A groundbreaking ceremony was held a midday Friday for Carolinas HealthCare System’s $36 million behavioral health “campus” off N.C. 73 in east Davidson.

Construction has begun on the new hospital and an out-patient mental health clinic, which are scheduled to open in 2014. The hospital is expected to create 155 permanent jobs, including physicians and other staff.

Dr. James Scully

Officials say the hospital fills a critical need in the region. We have more about the hospital plans and a Q&A with CHS executive Dr. Roger Ray, in HEALTH & FITNESS

Speakers at Friday’s event included CHS chief executive Michael C. Tarwater, Medical director Dr. Roger Ray, newly hired chief clinical officer Dr. John Santopietro, and Dr. James H. Scully Jr., medical director and CEO of the American Psychiatric Association, as well as Davidson Mayor John Woods.

2. Davidson Mayor Davidson Mayor John Woods spoke during the groundbreaking. (CHS photo)

Groundbreaking was scheduled Friday for Carolinas HealthCare System’s $36 million behavioral health “campus” off N.C. 73 in east Davidson. If all goes as planned, the hospital and out-patient mental health clinic will open in 2014. Officials say the hospital fills a critical need in the region. We have more about the hospital plans and a Q&A with CHS executive Dr. Roger Ray, in HEALTH & FITNESS

Carolinas HealthCare System will formally break ground Friday for its planned $36 million behavioral health hospital off N.C. 73 in east Davidson. Site work began in February on hospital, which is expected to create 155 jobs, including physicians and other staff.

Friday’s ceremony is scheduled at 12:30pm at the site, 16740 Davidson-Concord Road (N.C. 73).

Speakers will include: CHS chief executive Michael C. Tarwater, Medical director Dr. Roger Ray, newly hired chief clinical officer Dr. John Santopietro, and Dr. James H. Scully Jr., medical director and CEO of the American Psychiatric Association. Town officials also will attend.

Parking will be provided in Bradford Park, across NC 73, with shuttle buses bringing guests to the site.

Carolinas HealthCare has said it wants to speed construction on the hospital. Officials said this week they hope to complete the project in 2014.

See previous coverage of the hospital and Carolinas HealthCare on DavidsonNews.net.

And check back Friday for an interview with Dr. Roger Ray about the hospital project.

Site work began Wednesday at the site of the planned Carolinas HealthCare System behavioral health hospital on NC 73 in Davidson. Equipment was at work Thursday morning. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The land deal has closed and bulldozers have finally arrived at the site of Carolinas HealthCare System’s planned $36 million behavioral health hospital off N.C. 73 in east Davidson. Contractors on Wednesday began clearing land for a construction entrance at the west end of property, and CHS officials say the hospital could open in a year. Read the full story

Carolinas HealthCare System presented new drawings of what the proposed mental health hospital off NC 73 will look like. Download a copy of the presentation below.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Carolinas HealthCare System showed detailed plans for its proposed $36 million behavioral health hospital off N.C. 73 and the town manager presented new data on the project’s economic impact at a forum Thursday night. But opponents said afterward they’re still prepared to sue to stop the project if the town doesn’t halt it and give residents a chance to appeal. Read the full story

A community meeting to discuss Carolinas HealthCare System’s plans for a behavioral health hospital on N.C. in Davidson is scheduled Thursday, July 12, 6:30-8 p.m., at Davidson United Methodist Church chapel in downtown Davidson. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – State officials have given Carolinas HealthCare System the go-ahead to build a $36 million behavioral health hospital at a site off N.C. 73 in Davidson, instead of a previously approved location on NC 115 in Huntersville. Meanwhile, a consultant for the Town of Davidson said Friday that although the non-profit hospital won’t create new property tax revenue, the project will bring millions of dollars in economic benefits through jobs and spending, and it could spark growth along the N.C. 73 corridor.

Community meeting on hospital rescheduled, again. See below. Read the full story

Carolinas HealthCare System has pushed back the date of a planned community meeting on its proposed behavioral health hospital off N.C. 73 in east Davidson. The meeting is now scheduled Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m. at River Run Country Club in Davidson. Read the full story