On September 15, Trinity Medical Center received their Certificate of Need (CON) to move to the digital hospital at 280 and I-459. “We want to immediately complete some of the design work that we’ve been working on and initiate construction as soon as possible,” says CEO and President, Keith Granger.

But even with their CON in-hand, Trinity’s construction plans are on hold while they wait out the appeal deadline. “If this goes into appeals, it could stretch into years. But we hope it’s weeks or months,” says Granger.

Because this was a contested case that was heard by an administrative law judge, any entity that wishes to appeal the CON can go straight to circuit court, rather than appeal to the CON Review Board. It is Trinity’s understanding that any appeal must be filed by November 1.

In the meantime, the plans for the existing site move on. “Whatever the future use is, it’s going to be under a redevelopment opportunity, an economic stimulus opportunity, both public and private,” he says.

The site poses some tricky situations. Trinity owns the facility space, but surrounding areas are owned by Baptist Health Systems. The slopes, the parking, the three office buildings, and the indoor pool, all offer some interesting challenges and enticements for creative use in the future.

A task force set up by Birmingham’s mayor will explore the redevelopment options for the campus. The group includes all the players. “Baptist is very eager to move forward,” Granger says. All other details at this early stage remain sketchy.

Not so with plans once any appeals are lifted off Trinity’s CON. Granger says actual construction still won’t begin at the new location for a few months until the permits and contracts are in place.

Even after the construction kicks in, “the public may not notice – other than seeing the gravel lots around the building filling with pickup trucks and cars as construction employees and craftsmen begin work,” he says. Two years after that day, Trinity plans to open their new doors on 280.