Genesis PrimeCare ready to begin building

A few months ago, word spread like wildfire that the old Brooks Hospital was being torn down.

People around the community speculated what was to be built on that nearly 3-acre lot.

During a special city board meeting in October, the Atlanta City Council discussed and signed contracts that finalized a deal for the new location of the Genesis PrimeCare – Ellington Clinic.

I was able to speak with Genesis PrimeCare CEO Carla Roadcap and Director of Operational Strategies Ray Delk, Monday afternoon about the exciting news that the next phase of the process is ready to go.

“We wanted to make sure that everything was in order before we made a statement concerning the building of the new Genesis PrimeCare Clinic,” Roadcap said. “With the completion of the abatement and demolition, the building of the 20,000 square foot building will start this week.”

Previously, the clinic had purchased property between the Northeast Texas Property Management building and the sawmill on Highway 77. However, problems arose with the infrastructure for that location and Atlanta Mayor James Brooks contacted GPC officials to propose a new deal for them to consider.

“We are grateful to the city for preparing the property,” Roadcap remarked. “We are committed to positively impacting the health and wellbeing of the Atlanta community and surrounding areas.”

The Atlanta Economic Development Corporation offered a $500,000 budget from their account to fund the project.

There was a lot of work to do to the old building before anything else could move forward.

The Asbestos Abatement process was first and foremost. Then came the complete demolition of the site from the building itself, any trees on the property and of course the foundation.

Atlanta’s City Council passed the measure unanimously and the ball started rolling the next week.

There will also be a pharmacy included in the building layout as well.

“The pharmacy will be 2,200 square feet and have a drive through window for easy access,” added Delk.

Delk, who has a long list of medical Executive and Ancillary experience, ran the Atlanta practice for threeand- a-half years and has an extensive hospital construction background.

“Also, you don’t have to be a patient of Genesis Prime-Care staff to use the pharmacy. Anyone can make that their pharmacy of choice,” Roadcap added.

The clinic will also offer family care, behavioral care, pediatrics and a walk-in clinic.

“It has been a long time since Atlanta has had a pediatric doctor and now one will be on staff along with two pediatric NPs,” Roadcap said.

Along with a bigger building you get a bigger staff as well. There will be 69 employees on staff at the new location.

Forty-eight of those will be a mix of physicians, nurses, FNPs and patient care specialists and the rest will be clerical, housekeeping, and support staff.

Roadcap said that they have allotted 4.2 million dollars to go towards salaries.

Any time there is a big move such as this there are rumors that pop up and gather steam.

There was a rumor early on that GPC and CHRISTUS had a falling out but Roadcap squashed that rumor.

“We have a very good working relationship with CHRISTUS and will continue to direct patients their way when they need to make that next step,” Roadcap said. “We actually just wanted our own business site.”

Roadcap also talked about the benefits of being downtown.

“There will be plenty of parking space to go along with the new structures on the 2.82 acres and we believe a downtown facility will be more accessible, visible and convenient for residents and patients,” Roadcap said.

The proposed finish for the project will be December of 2026. Roadcap and Delk have high hopes that the grand opening will take place at that time.