Arlington to Pursue Enterprise Project Designation for MCA Expansion

By Reginald Lewis - Office of Communication

Posted on August 26, 2015, August 26, 2015

As a way of supporting job creation in The American Dream City, the Arlington City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday night nominating Columbia Medical Center of Arlington, parent company to Medical Center of Arlington (MCA), as an Enterprise Project for designation by the state under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program.

The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is an economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State to promote job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas of the state. Designated projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures.

The $13 million project to be nominated represents an exciting first step in Columbia Medical Center's overall renovation and expansion plan. To significantly renovate and expand the existing facility located at 3301 Matlock Rd., Columbia Medical Center of Arlington plans to invest $90 million in capital projects at, over the next five years.

According to the City of Arlington, the expansion project is expected to create 40-50 jobs Arlington created a reinvestment zone and authorized a tax abatement in support of the project in June. The expansion will broaden the hospital's presence in Arlington and better serve the community through a variety of expanded services: emergency, cardiovascular, surgical, neurosciences, primary care and pediatrics.

"With the support of the Arlington City Council, it is always a privilege to nominate qualified projects, like the Medical Center of Arlington expansion, to the State of Texas as an Enterprise Project," said Economic Development Manager Bruce Payne.

"While the state only requires a $5 million commitment in capital spend, MCA's nominated project represents a $13 million investment, the retention of 1,000+ jobs, and the creation of 50 new jobs. We hope that the state will recognize the value MCA brings to Arlington, and in turn, designate this project to the Texas Enterprise Zone Program."

The full renovation and expansion project will occur in two phases:

• Phase I - general renovations to the existing facility (approximately 65,000 square feet), including the Pediatric Emergency Department and expansion of the ICU Department (approximately 20,000 square feet). Estimated completion: January 2019.
• Phase II - The second phase of the expansion will include general renovations to the current Women's Department and Medical Oncology department, plus a 65,000 square feet vertical expansion to the Women and Children's Tower. Estimated completion: January 2021.