Opening the gate to future growth

A planned multi-million-dollar development just north of Beatrice got its official start Wednesday afternoon with a ceremony announcing Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center had purchased part of a 155-acre tract west of U.S. Highway 77 and south of Hickory Road.

Gage County Economic Development Inc. organized the event to announce creation of Northgate Crossing and the hospital’s purchase of 46.7 acres of land at the site with hopes of building a new hospital there at some point.

Clarifying comments that had been made earlier, hospital officials on Wednesday said no timetable had been determined for when construction would take place and a number of steps had to take place before any decision is made.

“This is a very exciting day in the efforts of Beatrice to grow,” Paul Garnett, GCED chairman, said. “It showcases our community whether you go north or south (on U.S. Highway 77).”

Northgate Crossing is a partnership between GCED and Lincoln developers William and Robert Scott of WRK, LLC.

WRK was recently chosen as “developer of record” for the new West Haymarket arena, hotel and convention center development in downtown Lincoln. In addition to Lincoln, the firm has also been involved in community development projects in such cities as Ashland, DeWitt and Waverly.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, the Scotts said they were looking forward to the project.

“We’re very fortunate to have the people of Beatrice behind us,” Robert Scott said.

William Scott said he thought the hospital could serve as a catalyst for future growth in the Northgate Crossing area and he and his brother Robert were ready to get to work on the project.

“We’re going to work our tails off to make this the best project it can be,” he said.

BCHHC officials at the ceremony said plans for possible construction of a new hospital began after the hospital used a survey about three years ago to develop goals to improve its healthcare services to the community.

“We are out of space,” John Rypma, BCHHC board of directors chairman, said. “It was apparent that a new facility for was necessary for us to reach these goals.”

The hospital then began the process of searching for suitable and available land and chose the property about a mile north of the Beatrice city limits.

“We think this site is a great site,” Rypma said.

Tom Sommers, BCHHC chief executive officer, said the plan still requires zoning approval, as well as approval from the Federal Aviation Administration because the proposed hospital site lies close to the Beatrice Municipal Airport flight path.

He also said the hospital would select an architect in the next four or five weeks and a site plan would be developed. In addition, he said the hospital board would need to review cost estimates and updated financial projections.

However, at the same time he said the current hospital was out of space.

“Any renovation would cost about as much as building a new facility,” he said.

The land acquisition, he said, was necessary before any of the other steps could proceed.

In other comments at the ceremony, Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy congratulated the Scotts and the city for their partnership and said he is optimistic about the state’s economic development.

“This project clearly shows that our economy is still strong and people are willing to take risks,” he said.

Beatrice Mayor Dennis Schuster thanked the Scotts for their partnership and said they were very important for this project.

“I hope we have a long and profitable relationship with you and one that is beneficial to Beatrice,” Schuster said.