An 8% increase in cancer patients over the last two years at Augusta Oncology Multispecialty Clinic is leading to a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in the former Medac Building on Bluff Ave.
A partnership with AOMSC, Coronis Health, and Palmetto Peach Development was announced there Friday afternoon in North Augusta.
Medac, a medical billing company, opened in 2015.
When Coronis acquired Medac, Brett Brannon (pictured at far left) saw an opportunity. He’s President of Palmetto Peach Development and also chairman of the board of the non-profit North Augusta Forward, which focuses on downtown development.
“I saw a tremendously underutilized asset to our community,” he said. “You know that the building, and the parking deck, both were built about one thing, and that was jobs. In the best-laid plans, Medac was a great company to bring here, but in the business world, things happen. They were acquired and as a result, most of the jobs were lost here.”
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette (R) led a delegation of statewide and Aiken county political leaders at the event.
“We want to make sure that you know, this year in our executive budget, we are targeting investments in health care agencies to help patients benefit,” she said. “We put a task force together to talk about how we have better medical care and medical treatment all over our state. So, we are looking forward to this not just being the first but the first of many great announcements across our state.”
This is an extension of Beacon Bluff, currently under construction as a Palmetto Peach Development project. The 36,000-square-foot project, just across the street from the Medac building, is renovating a historic building that once housed a skating rink and later a carpet shop, on Georgia Ave. It will include retail, restaurants, professional space, and apartments. It is expected to open this April.
Tracy Duffie, CEO of Augusta Oncology, said the new facility will offer both chemotherapy and radiation treatment for patients.
“Our plans are to have a 30,000 square foot medical oncology suite on the second floor to include chemotherapy,” she explained. “On the first floor, there’ll be a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art radiation center where we will have the latest Radiation Technology in a two-state area. Our goal is to enhance the cancer patients’ experience and provide the most advanced care with cutting-edge technology for these patients.”
Besides an increase in patient census, AOMSC’s Dr. David Squires says the need for medical care is also greater.
“Patients are living much longer for many of the cancers now which increases the number of cancer patients receiving treatment,” he said. Dr. Squires, a founding partner since 1982 says all four locations in Augusta and Aiken will remain open after their expansion.
He says the cost of the building and remodeling the building is about 22 million.
Beacon Bluff, and LLC operated by Brett Brannon will own the building. Augusta Oncology (AOMSC) will enter into a long-term lease with Beacon Bluff, which will secure the financing with Security Federal Bank. Allen Batchelor will do the construction.
“AOMSC will also have to purchase the expensive radiation equipment which will be around 8 million dollars. So, the total investment will be about $30 million,” said Dr. Squires.
Brannon is also investing $15 Million more in the mixed use development across the street.
Senator Tom Young (R-District 24) said, earlier this year, South Carolina made significant changes to the Certificate of Need (CON) that was a requirement for new hospitals and medical care facilities.
“What we saw prior to the legislature and the governor taking action on that was that for years, if a medical provider wanted to build a new facility, if they wanted to acquire certain new equipment for their patients, or if they wanted to expand their services, they had to receive Certificate of Need from the Department of Health and Environmental Control. And it limited access for patients to certain types of care,” Young said.
Brannon said work will begin by Feb. 5 to convert the space formerly used by Medac. The goal is to open by this December. Combined employment for the oncology clinic and at Beacon Bluff will be about 250.
This project is just for the Medac Building. The parking deck is not included. According to City Administrator Jim Clifford, “The City will still own the parking deck next to the MEDAC building, and the current written agreements will transfer to the new ownership group.”
