Plans still on track for new hospital in South Hall

GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Medical Center remains confident it will prevail with plans to build a new hospital in South Hall in spite of another hospital's appeal.

"We will not begin construction until that is complete," medical center spokeswoman Melissa Tymchuck said. "But, also we are planning our construction along with the time line of the new road."

The hospital in Winder has appealed the Medical Center's plans - and the Certificate-of-Need that has been approved for the new hospital - to the state. The appeal has gone through two steps, with rulings in favor of the Medical Center. The Winder hospital still has the option of taking the issue to court, according to Tymchuk.

Tymchuk briefed a chamber of commerce-sponsored meeting in Flowery Branch Thursday morning on progress on the South Hall Medical complex. Tymchuk said construction on a medical office building - Medical Plaza I - is underway at the site of the new hospital and is expected to open later this year.