New medical center coming to Cannon Falls

It’s taken years of planning and discussion, but Mayo Clinic Health System announced this week that it will build a new medical center on Cannon Falls’ south side. The decision was made last week, a statement from Mayo Clinic said.

“We’re ecstatic that we’ll have the opportunity to build a new facility,” Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls CEO Tom Witt said.

Mayo Clinic Health System hopes to break ground this spring and have the new medical center up and running by fall 2014. At 90,000 square feet, the new center will provide triple the space that the current medical center has.

According to an aerial site map provided by Mayo Clinic Health System, the new facility will be located between 67th Avenue Way and Highway 52. There are no buildings on the site now, and nothing will need to be torn down before building begins, Mayo spokeswoman Kristy Jacobson said.

Witt, who is also the CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing and Lake City, said the new center will help them provide better care. It also will allow for more collaboration between the Cannon Falls, Rochester, Red Wing and other Mayo locations.

“The opportunity to partner … contributed to the decision (to build),” Witt said.

The existing building is unable to keep up with changing care models, even though it has been modified and updated over the years.

“The current facility was built in 1958. That’s probably all I need to say,” Witt said. “Essentially it’s an outdated building, built for a previous care delivery model,” he said.

The increased space will allow Mayo Clinic Health System to expand its emergency medicine care and many other services, improve privacy and add new technology.

Cannon Falls Mayor Robby Robinson called the new facility a “win-win for everybody,” adding that the new facility will bring new job opportunities to the community and will help attract new residents and businesses.

“The community support for this project has been amazing and represents what can happen when a community partners with Mayo Clinic. This has truly been a team effort,” said Kathy Brekken, chair of the local community campaign cabinet, which solicited community support for the new medical center.

The project is expected to cost about $28 million.

The current facility will continue to operate until the new facility opens. Witt said it’s not yet clear what will happen to the current building, adding that Mayo Clinic Health System is discussing its options.

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