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Washington Adventist Hospital has filed for state approval to move its hospital from Takoma Park to Calverton/White Oak.
"We want to work very closely with the state. … We hope we're in a position to answer all their questions," said hospital President Jere Stocks, who said the certificate submission officially begins the process of state approval.
The state will review plans for the proposed hospital and contact Washington Adventist officials if any additional information is needed, said Washington Adventist spokeswoman Lydia Parris. The permitting process can begin once the certificate is approved.
The hospital hopes to open in Calverton/White Oak by 2013.
More than 1,200 letters from civic leaders and community organizations were part of the submission, according to a hospital statement. Stocks said Washington Adventist has worked to inform the community of the latest progress.
The new Washington Adventist Hospital would be on Plum Orchard Drive near Cherry Hill Road and Route 29. It will have 294 beds, along with emergency services, a healing space and a faith center. Plans for the hospital were approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in December.
In January, the hospital and the Food and Drug Administration in White Oak announced a partnership. The hospital and government agency will be about 200 yards apart.
Stuart Rochester, chairman of the Fairland Master Plan Committee and supporter of Washington Adventist's move to Calverton/White Oak, said the move could trigger unprecedented growth in the east county. Pharmaceutical and health care companies would be enticed to build along Route 29, he said.
More jobs in the east county would translate to more affluent professionals living and working in the area, Rochester said. And while he said traffic along Route 29 should be examined, home values could rise.
The hospital would move near the FDA's White Oak complex after being in Takoma Park for more than a century. The Takoma Park campus will continue to be operated by Adventist HealthCare.
As part of Adventist HealthCare's Vision for Expanded Access, the Takoma Park site will become a Village of Health and Well-being. The village, a collaboration involving Adventist HealthCare, Columbia Union College and the city of Takoma Park, will include emergency care, a fitness center and classes for CUC nursing students.