University of Kansas Hospital planning ahead for future growth

Land to be bought for future endeavors

The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., has announced plans to procure 14 acres of land adjacent to the existing hospital complex on the northwest corner of 39th and State Line Road.

With land at a premium in the area, the purchase allows the hospital options for growing to serve the needs of the community.

The University of Kansas Hospital, founded in 1906, is affiliated with the University of Kansas School of Medicine and Nursing and Allied Health. It was removed from the University of Kansas system in 1998 and is now governed by an independent authority board.

Dennis McCulloch, director of Public and Government Relations at the hospital, says if the hospital had been a state agency, the purchase would have taken much longer.

“The authority board allows us flexibility to take advantage of opportunities,” McCulloch said. “We were able to act quickly and reach a good agreement with the seller.”

McCulloch did not disclose the purchase price of the land, but he says the hospital plans to close on the sale once the seller, TRD Associates LLC, completes the purchase of some random lots in the projected area.

“We anticipate the purchase to be complete by the end of the year or by next spring,” McCulloch said.

McCulloch said the hospital’s priority was to get control of the property and not get hemmed in.

“Without this land, someone could build apartments,” McCulloch said. “That could complicate future hopes of expansion.”

The short-term plans for the land will be patient parking, but McCulloch says the hospital’s options are open.

“It’s been mentioned as a site for an expanded cancer facility and clinical offices,” McCulloch said. “Now we have options.”

McCulloch says the hospital is glad to have options for the future of clinical care and can now make changes.

“We’re very excited that we can meet the needs of the community,” McCulloch said.

– Francine Riley is a freelance writer.