Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

WakeMed to expand to Garner

A possible site is near White Oak

WakeMed plans to build a medical center in Garner.

The hospital announced last week it had won state approval to expand its North Raleigh hospital and to build medical centers in Garner and the Brier Creek area of Raleigh.

The $26.4 million hospital in Garner would spare residents from traveling to Raleigh or Johnston County to go to an emergency room.

Hospital officials are figuring out where to build the Garner medical center. One option is at Jones Sausage Road and U.S. 70, near the White Oak shopping center.

Mayor Ronnie Williams said Garner, which has seen steady population growth, needs a hospital. "It would be a big asset to the community," he said.

WakeMed had applied with the state nearly two years ago to build a hospital in Garner, but the state denied the request.

The hospital appealed and eventually won approval.

At the earliest, the Garner medical center would open in late 2010.