Woodbury and Inspira Plan Education Innovation District

On Sep 25, 2023

The City of Woodbury and Inspira Health have announced plans for the Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District. To be headquartered on the former Woodbury hospital campus, the Innovation District will seek to add elements such as market-rate housing, a Center for Innovation in Community Health, with attached hotel conference center and restaurant, convenience retail offerings, and senior housing to complement the health care services currently provided and planned on the campus.

In early 2024, Inspira will move its existing Woodbury emergency and inpatient behavioral health services to a two-story building that is currently under construction across the street from the existing emergency department. This will make way for the development of the Innovation District. Investment in the Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District plan will be in addition to the $12 million in upgrades made to the existing Inspira medical office buildings and the more than $60 million for the new building that will house the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health program.

The Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District plan seeks to integrate health and economic development by coordinating and integrating investments in clinical and social services, as well as commercial and retail expansion. The planning process involved more than 50 interviews with Inspira and City of Woodbury representatives, county and state elected officials and staff, community members, education and research institutions, and potential developers. They were conducted by Dynamis Advisors – the nation’s leading firm for transforming former hospital campuses. Formal discussions with proposed developers will continue through October.

On behalf of Inspira, CBRE, the nation’s leading healthcare real estate strategic advisory firm, has taken on the role of master developer, moving the planning forward and holding discussions with potential developers regarding individual components of the Innovation District. The planning also involved a review of the city’s existing redevelopment plan to ensure that the development of the Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District would directly support the overall vision of the city.

“We are pleased that Inspira Health offered the community the opportunity to provide their input to the emerging Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District plan,” said Mayor of Woodbury Kyle Miller. “As something that will impact the community for the better, we are delighted with the on-going collaboration and dialogue across stakeholders to develop a plan that will meet the unique needs of the community. We look forward to working alongside Inspira, the county and the state to further develop and implement the plan.”

Over the past nine months, Inspira has been conducting a multi-phased, multi-year construction and redevelopment project on its Woodbury campus, working closely with CBRE. The redevelopment project includes a newly remodeled medical office building and family medicine center; a new state-of-the-art facility that will house the 24,900-square-foot 19-bed satellite emergency department and 21,500-square-foot 20-bed inpatient behavioral health center; and a new EMS station.

“The new Woodbury Health and Education Innovation District plan is consistent with our commitment to serving as a strong community partner, as well as enhancing access to modern health care for the residents of Woodbury,” said Warren E. Moore, FACHE, executive vice president and COO of Inspira Health. “Our Woodbury campus will serve as an essential component for providing high quality care to the community, and will be a center for innovation and a haven for current and future employees.”

Through the interview process, Dynamis uncovered a remarkable compatibility of interests centered around enabling Woodbury to be a destination for families. Building upon Inspira’s investments and the planned Eds and Meds light rail line, proposed components include a Center for Innovation in Community Health to accelerate the advancement of holistic healthcare, education and skills development; and market rate housing, as well as a boutique hotel and conference center. These individual developments are planned to be ratable from a property tax perspective.

“This plan will bring national recognition to the City of Woodbury, and serve as a shining light for other communities who are provided with similar opportunities,” said Patrick E. Duke, CRE healthcare project advisory solutions leader at CBRE. “Integrating health and economic development in this manner is critical for our nation’s future.”

The city of Woodbury will be hosting a series of community discussions where the proposed plan will be presented in more detail, allowing for additional community input with Inspira, CBRE and Dynamis representatives in attendance. Planning will continue in earnest over the next several months.

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