Wellstar Health System announced Thursday morning a partnership with the Integral Group to redevelop the Atlanta Medical Center site on Boulevard in Old Fourth Ward.
The redevelopment plan is in alignment with the land-use plan approved by the Atlanta City Council last month.
The new project, which includes housing, retail, greenspace, and a health and wellness component, has garnered support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and various community groups.
“We look forward to working closely with the City to build on its revitalization efforts and bring our shared vision of a vibrant, healthy addition to the Old Fourth Ward,” said Candice Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.
The Integral Group, a national development firm based in Atlanta and founded by Egbert Perry, first gained prominence by transforming Techwood Homes into Centennial Place, a mixed-income, mixed-use community. The company has since been involved in numerous community redevelopment projects across the country.
Atlanta Medical Center’s Abrupt Closure
In October 2022, Wellstar announced the closure of the Atlanta Medical Center due to financial losses and declining patient volumes. This closure marked the end of its 120-year legacy and left a significant gap in healthcare services, particularly trauma care, in Atlanta’s downtown area.
Community Impact
AMC’s closure was met with significant concern and protests from the local community, especially because of its central role in providing care to underserved populations and its status as a major employer in the area. Its shutdown left Grady Memorial Hospital as the primary trauma center for Atlanta, increasing pressure on that facility.
The Atlanta Medical Center (AMC), located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, had a long and storied history, playing a significant role in the city’s healthcare system for over a century before its closure.
Early History
- Founded: The hospital originally opened in 1901 as Tabernacle Infirmary, a small facility linked to the Tabernacle Baptist Church, founded by Reverend Len G. Broughton. The infirmary’s mission was to provide medical care to Atlanta’s underprivileged communities.
- Growth and Name Changes: As the facility grew, it became known as Georgia Baptist Hospital in 1913, reflecting its new affiliation with the Georgia Baptist Convention. The hospital continued expanding throughout the 20th century, becoming a major teaching hospital.
Mid-20th Century to Modern Era
- Teaching Hospital: Over time, AMC became a full-service teaching hospital with a focus on advanced medical education. It was well-regarded for its residency programs, especially in trauma care, surgery, and internal medicine.
- Acquisition by Tenet Healthcare: In 1997, Georgia Baptist Medical Center was sold to Tenet Healthcare, a national for-profit hospital system, and the facility was renamed Atlanta Medical Center. The hospital continued serving a diverse population, particularly in emergency and trauma care, as it held a Level 1 trauma center designation.
Facilities and Specialties
- Level 1 Trauma Center: As one of only a few Level 1 trauma centers in the state of Georgia, AMC was a crucial resource for critical emergency care, often treating victims of major accidents, shootings, and other trauma-related incidents.
- Centers of Excellence: AMC also developed specialized programs for stroke care, heart surgery, orthopedics, and women’s health, attracting patients from across the region.
Change in Ownership and Decline
In 2016, AMC was acquired by Wellstar Health System, a non-profit organization with hospitals in Cobb County and other parts of metro Atlanta. However, despite its historical significance and medical importance, the hospital faced financial challenges.
In announcing its closure in 2022, Wellstar said it had tried to turn a profit with AMC, but nothing worked.
“For several years, Wellstar has continued to invest in and operate AMC with significant losses to provide more time to partner on a creative, long-term, sustainable solution for the hospital’s future,” Wellstar CEO Candice L. Saunders said at the time. “After an exhaustive search for a solution that would support the healthcare needs of the community, we are disappointed that a sustainable solution at AMC has not emerged.”
Now, hope for the site has emerged anew.
Final Word
While WellStar didn’t divulge a timeframe or talk financial numbers about the redevelopment plan for AMC, the news that the site would be turned into something productive was met with cheers.
Old Fourth Ward is known for its new development. And places to eat. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants or Asian fare in Atlanta.
