A plan to build a nearly 81,000 square-foot, two-story center that will be devoted to cancer care and treatment in Santa Fe has cleared an important hurdle.
Members of the Santa Fe City Council have given their approval to the building of the center, which will go up alongside the larger Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, located at 455 St. Michael’s Drive.
The plan has been long in the talking stage and subject to public input meetings. Neighborhood opposition to the project centered primarily on concerns regarding the amount of traffic the facility would draw, as well as noise.
Those concerns most likely explained what turned out to be a close 5 to 4 council vote in favor of the project, which will also see construction of a parking lot and covered walkway.
Work is expected to begin on the cancer treatment center by next year, with an anticipated 2024 completion date.
Earlier this year, Christus officials said they were committed to building a facility which would join together several disciplines under one roof, with a particular focus on both expanded services and patient experience.
At the time of that announcement, Lillian Montoya, Christus chief executive officer, said the new center would feature “outstanding physicians, cutting edge technology and modern facilities.”
As planned, the center will also include linear accelerators for radiation treatment and imaging equipment, as well as an infusion and immunotherapy center, and “fast-track room” designed for quick procedures.
The Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center is the oldest general hospital in New Mexico, and the largest of its kind in the populous northern section of the state.
Four years ago the medical center saw a $40 million expansion of its facilities, resulting in larger patient rooms and more space for technology and equipment.
By Garry Boulard
