Alabama Supreme Court rules in favor of Trinity relocation
The Supreme Court of Alabama has denied requests by Brookwood Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Hospital, refusing to consider continued arguments against Trinity Medical Center’s relocation.
According to a release, the unappealable ruling affirms the November decision of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in favor of Trinity and definitively ends any further opportunity for Brookwood and St. Vincent’s to legally challenge Trinity’s Certificate of Need.
“This is the green light we have awaited for more than four years,” said Trinity Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Granger. “We are absolutely elated with this outcome and look forward to bringing enhanced access to healthcare to our community – along with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact.”
Economists have compared Trinity’s relocation to some of the state’s automotive “mega-projects” because of the size and scope of its economic impact. In just the first year of construction, the project is anticipated to generate nearly 4,000 jobs, create more than $125 million in job earnings, and produce more than $3.1 million in city and county tax revenues.
“Finally, we can bring to life a hospital that has been wanted and needed by this community for very long time,” said Wayne T. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Community Health Systems, Inc. “Our investment will positively impact the community in every way – by increasing convenient access to care for more residents, igniting new economic development and providing the outstanding medical community in Birmingham with a state-of-the-art facility for patient care.”
Once construction is underway, completion of the hospital building on Highway 280 is expected to take 18-24 months. In its new location, Trinity will serve as anchor tenant of the Cahaba Center at Grandview campus, which is planned to include the development of hotels, offices buildings, parking decks and retail businesses. When the 15-year campus development project is complete, an estimated 5,500 people could be employed at the Cahaba Center, creating a total economic impact of more than 9,000 local jobs and $405 million in additional annual earnings for the region.
“This really is a win/win for the people of Alabama. The fastest growing area in the state along Highway 280 in Birmingham is now assured it will have convenient access to hospital care in the next few years, and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in the hospital and surrounding development will create good jobs for Alabamians,” said Alabama Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey.
“Today’s decision is one that will positively impact the greater Birmingham area long into the future,” said Birmingham Mayor William Bell. “Trinity’s completion of the hospital on 280 will move Birmingham rapidly ahead in job growth and new construction and will solidify our city’s role as a healthcare hub and center for excellence.”
Trinity’s relocation efforts have wound through courtrooms and agency hearings in Birmingham and Montgomery for more than four years. With today’s Supreme Court decision, Trinity is free to complete design and construction planning. Construction is expected to begin by late summer.
"Today's ruling is the final say in this dispute as the Supreme Court has now considered this appeal. Many communities, businesses and individuals will benefit as a result of this ruling," said Business Council of Alabama President and CEO William J. Canary.
“We are grateful to the justices of the Alabama Supreme Court for their clarity and insight into this matter,” said James Spann, chair of the Trinity Medical Center board of trustees. “On behalf of the Trinity Board, I would like to personally thank the physicians, employees, volunteers and thousands of community advocates who have tirelessly supported our relocation efforts for the last few years.”