Grady Health System has scaled back its request for millions of dollars from Fulton and DeKalb counties for planned expansions while it awaits a certificate of need for one of two projects.
The counties had previously agreed to help fund two Grady projects: a new ambulatory surgery center and the expansion of the Ponce De Leon AIDS and HIV treatment center.
While the surgery center is on track, the HIV center’s expansion can’t move forward without state approval.
Grady has yet to request the required certificate of need from the state to modernize and expand the center, which treats more than 6,000 people a year with HIV and AIDS.
As such, Grady is asking for a little less money now — but still plans to come back for the rest later.
Total cost of both projects is projected at $231.3 million, with Fulton committed to funding $74.2 million and DeKalb $36.8 million. The rest would be covered by Grady and private philanthropy.
Wednesday, Fulton commissioners agreed to pay $65.9 million in project costs for the surgery center alone. Matt Hicks, Grady’s chief policy officer, said DeKalb is expected to approve its portion of the surgery center funding in December.
“It’s expanding our capacity because we’re busy, we’re full,” Hicks said.
The pledges mark the first time local government has agreed to fund capital projects at Grady in more than 25 years.
Originally scheduled to open in spring 2021, the seven-story surgical services center is now on track to open in June 2022, said Tim Jefferson, Grady’s general counsel.
The new building would add six dedicated operating rooms for an ambulatory surgery center. It also would have dedicated rooms for gastrointestinal procedures, an outpatient imaging center and a relocated cancer center. It will allow the hospital to add 52 beds.
The project would increase clinic capacity by 45 percent and operating room volume by 25 percent.
Hicks said it would also have an eye center and optic shop, so patients could leave the hospital with glasses instead of needing to go elsewhere to fill prescriptions. The cancer center will also move into the new building.
“It sounds very exciting,” said Joe Carn, a Fulton County commissioner. “It sounds like great news.”
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