Park Ridge Health outlines 11,000-square-foot ER plan for Cleveland, cites $17.4 million investment

Chris Cosby, speaking for Park Ridge Health, presented the health system’s proposal to build an emergency department in Cleveland, saying the facility would be roughly 11,000 square feet with 11 treatment rooms, outpatient imaging and lab services and would operate 24/7.

Cosby said the project represents roughly a $17,400,000 investment and that Park Ridge would not seek tax-exempt status for the facility. "We want to bring that choice to them," Cosby said, describing data showing residents often travel out of the county for care and citing local population growth as a driver for added capacity. He said the project would initially staff roughly 30–50 employees and could expand if volume increases.

Cosby cited a Certificate of Need (CON) hearing scheduled for Jan. 28 in Nashville; if approved, he said architecture, permitting and preparations could take one to two months and the facility could open about 10 months after CON approval. Commissioners asked about insurance networks, air transport and whether the facility could expand into inpatient care; Cosby said emergency treatment is covered in emergency situations regardless of network status, a helipad could be added later and inpatient expansion would likely require an additional CON.

Commissioners and Park Ridge representatives said they will continue meetings with county staff and community stakeholders while the CON process proceeds.