Medical office, additional physicians planned for Hartselle will fill need, mayor says

Mayor Randy Garrison

By Bayne Hughes Staff Writer

A property purchase by Cullman Regional Medical Center will eventually provide Hartselle with a new medical office and additional physicians that the city’s mayor said will fill a void in health care.

The Medical Center recently acquired 9 acres of the former Abercrombie home property at 1790 U.S. 31 N. from Bobby Morris. The property is on the east side of the highway next to Abercrombie Chevrolet.

Shane Odom of MarMac Commercial Real Estate, who represented the seller, said the home has been demolished and the property is being prepared for the project.

Cullman Medical Center spokeswoman Jennifer Malone said the new office will be in an addition to the Hartselle Health Park that’s on the west side of U.S. 31.

The Health Park on the west side features health services like orthopedics and spine, mammography, maternity center, a pharmacy and imaging.

Malone said a pediatrician was recently hired at the park, and now the center is looking to expand with additional physicians. Medical Center officials are still working on the construction plan and will decide later on the types of specialties and number of doctors needed at the new facility, she said.

“Our presence in the (Hartselle) community helps us evaluate the city and identify its needs,” Malone said.

Mayor Randy Garrison said Cullman Medical Center’s presence and planned expansion is welcome in Hartselle. The Huntsville Hospital Health System closed Hartselle Medical Center in 2012 and demolished the building last year.

“The Health Park will bring more physician services here and that’s something we’ve needed since the hospital closed,” Garrison said. “It’s a nice convenience for our citizens, especially since they’re bringing in more specialists.”

Garrison said the additional medical services will also help in economic development and recruiting more business to Hartselle.

The property is zoned B-1, general business district. Cullman Medical Center has not submitted a preliminary plat, Garrison said.

In other Hartselle news, Wiregrass Construction won the contract to add left turn lanes on U.S. 31 North with a bid of $2.2 million.

Garrison said the city is getting $1.5 million from Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program II for the project. The city will have to fund the remainder of the project, including engineering and design.

“The project will make it safer for drivers,” Garrison said. “And, hopefully, we will get more development with the easier access.”