There is more than one billion dollars worth of construction either underway on or planned for the Medical Mile on Grand Rapids' Michigan Street. The Michigan State University Medical School building is just one of many major changes.

By the time all the construction is done, there will be thousands of new health care jobs, more research into illnesses, and patients with greater access to care ... all right on Michigan Street, the major health care corridor in Grand Rapids.

The anchor of the construction on the Medical Mile is the $92 million Lemmen-Holton Cancer Center, which is scheduled to open this summer. It's been described as "245,000 square feet on six floors, dedicated exclusively to treatment of cancer." Spectrum treats 3,000 new cancer patients a year, and wants to be prepared to expand as baby boomers age.

Across Michigan Street, Spectrum is building the $250 million Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, which will be one of the larger children's hospital's in the country when it is finished in 2011. As it is critical to treat 6 year olds differently than 60 year olds, this project is one of the most important on the Mile, with dedicated operating rooms and radiology facilities.

People in the know have pointed out that all of this health care construction is attracting more talented physicians and staffers to Grand Rapids. What's even more important than the buildings is the dedication of the professionals coming together.

One building has not only physician offices, but upper floors which are slated for a medical service hotel dedicated to the community and to the Medical Mile. It's described as "a health care hotel" for both patients and those working at Spectrum and the Van Andel Institute. This novel idea is certain to catch attention around the country.

The Van Andel Institute is doing $170 million worth of its own construction. That will nearly triple its laboratory space. Bill Culhane, of the Van Andel Institute, says, "It's going to be a mirror image of the glass that cascades down from the upper level."

The Van Andel Institute talks of the possibility of adding more than 500 new jobs. And Spectrum Health plans to add 3,000 jobs over the next five years. That's in addition to the 1,400 construction jobs currently working busily to transform the landscape.

Transformation spreads afar...

We all know how much we need a "rebirth of the area's economy." Such a rebirth would not only affect our whole state, but will lead to a healthier community for West Michigan as well. Spectrum's Van Vranken says, "We are blessed with the opportunity to do this. And are really extremely excited about it."

Watch for many physical differences to take place along the Medical Mile on Michigan Street. But in addition watch for the differences that all these increased services make to the quality of living in West Michigan.