Loyola Medicine plans to build a 100,000-square-foot ambulatory care center on Ferry Road in Warrenville. The project, funded in part by a $120 million investment from Trinity Health, would bring 60 exam rooms and more than 30 medical specialties to the city's I-88 corridor.

The three-story facility at 28301 Ferry Rd. would offer primary care, oncology, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, neurology and dozens of other specialties, along with advanced imaging, an ambulatory surgery center, an infusion center and a retail pharmacy, Patch first reported Oct. 26.

Groundbreaking is projected for 2027, with a tentative opening sometime in 2029.

"Healthcare continues to move closer to where people live and work, and this investment positions Loyola Medicine to meet that demand for decades to come," Shawn P. Vincent, president and CEO of Trinity Health's Illinois/Indiana Region, said in a statement.

The project is already moving through Warrenville's zoning process. At a Sept. 10 Plan Commission hearing, Seth Conkey of Loyola Medicine told board members the building would house advanced imaging, lab and pharmacy services on the first floor, according to meeting minutes. A dozen specialty clinics, including an oncology infusion center, would fill the second floor. The third floor would contain an ambulatory surgery center with four operating rooms and two endoscopy rooms.

Conkey estimated an 18-month construction timeline. He said Loyola prefers to hire locally, expecting many employees to live nearby.

The project could generate 90,000 to 110,000 patient visits a year, Community and Economic Development Director Amy Emery told commissioners. She said those visits would create activity for nearby restaurants and businesses and bring local jobs.

Commissioners raised several concerns at the September hearing. Chairman Cosgrove noted the roughly 29-acre property would become tax-exempt. Community Planner Jack Maszka said the site currently generates about $4,500 a year in property tax revenue for Warrenville. Cosgrove suggested the City Council consider whether Loyola should make an annual contribution to offset the loss.

Commissioner Martina questioned whether the proposed 483 parking spaces would handle an estimated 450 daily patient visits. Conkey said Loyola believed the supply was adequate based on experience at other facilities but would recheck the analysis.

Loyola's plan calls for demolishing an existing office building on the site. Commissioner Smillie said he liked the overall design and believed it fit the community. Commissioner Tullier said the new building would be more visible from I-88 than the current structure. Cosgrove, however, expressed concern about losing the existing building and its taxable commercial use. Solar panels are planned for the roof, though energy modeling was still underway at the time of the September hearing.

The project also requires state review. A notice posted by the city on Oct. 19 said the Illinois Health Facilities and Service Review Board (HFSRB) is reviewing the proposal. That state filing lists the project cost at about $106.8 million. The Patch report describes the $120 million Trinity Health figure as funding the project "in part." The relationship between the two numbers is not explained in available records.

The commission voted unanimously on Sept. 10 to continue the public hearing to Oct. 22 so Loyola could revise its plans. The outcome of that hearing was not available as of publication, and the HFSRB has not announced a decision on the state application.