Wishard breaks ground at health center

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - William Tipton is a lifelong Westside resident. He’s witnessed the Lafayette area at it’s best, and he’s seen it at it’s worst.

At one time, a slew of big box name brand stores lined the area around West 38th Street. Now most of those businesses are long gone and their signage has been replaced with for lease signs.

However, Wednesday the area was defined at it’s best when Wishard broke ground on a new health center at 38th Street and Moller Road. The 70,000 square foot primary care building is expected to be completed in fall 2013.

“I feel real good," said Tipton. "It may bring shoppers back - it will revive the neighborhood."

The building will house 48 units that will include adult and Pediatrics care. The center has been made possible by a $40 million donation by Sidney and Lois Eskenazi. The donation is expected to create 4,400 jobs in  Indianapolis.

“We at Wishard have long known that the health of our community is not determined in the hospital,” said Dr. Lisa Harris. “It’s determined outside the hospital.”