Richmond company plans to build medical treatment center in downtown Petersburg

PETERSBURG – City Council got its first look last week at what could be a major investment in the look and economy of downtown Petersburg, and apparently, councilors liked what they saw.

A Richmond-based medical corporation wants to build a kidney and vascular treatment center on a vacant lot across West Washington Street from the Petersburg Area Transit Multimodal Center. Originally planned as a 30,000-square foot two-story structure, ECIMED-1 LLC said it now wants to build a 75,000-square foot five-story complex after several community partners agreed to sign on to the project.

Cost to build the center is around $17 million. Economic Development director Brian Moore told council it is expected to generate an estimated $215,900 in annual revenue for Petersburg.

Councilors originally agreed to the sale last February but asked the developers to return with a design plan before formally signing off on the sale.

The property is at the intersection of West Washington and North Union streets next to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Its last assessment valued the land at $346,500. ECIMED-1 bought it for $173,250, or 50% of the assessed value.

The building is to be called the Center for Kidney & Vascular Health, and will be used for both primary- and specialty-care.

Moore said patients will be able to use the free Union Street parking deck one block south of the center.

An exact date for beginning construction was not immediately available.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Richmond company plans to build medical treatment center in downtown Petersburg