Lee Health and planners propose mixed-use vision for former Lee Memorial site; council raises city-hall idea

Lee Health and urban designers presented a conceptual redevelopment vision for the 17-acre former Lee Memorial Hospital site that borders the Edison Park Historic District. City economic development director Steve Weathers introduced Suzanne (Lee Health's director of special projects) and Josh Frank of Dover, Cole and Partners, who described a flexible plan that mixes civic, retail, healthcare-support uses and a range of housing types while preserving neighborhood character adjacent to Edison Park.

Josh Frank, the project director, said the plan emphasizes public realm improvements—curbless plazas, a 30-foot promenade, bike boulevard and a green spine linking existing parks—and is intentionally flexible to attract a developer partner. "This is really sort of a picture on the cover of the puzzle box," he said, describing the document as a vision meant to guide future negotiations. Presenters and council members repeatedly framed the concept as a starting point rather than a fixed development program; Lee Health owns the land and would determine the ultimate disposition (sale, lease or partnership).

Council members asked whether city facilities might move to the site, how the plan would protect the Edison Park district, and whether the CRA and neighborhood groups had been consulted. Presenters said they had briefed the CRA and met with neighborhood representatives and that selected public benefits (affordable housing, park expansion and street improvements) were central to the concept.

What happens next: staff and Lee Health will continue community outreach, refine program and study potential public-private partnerships; council requested a follow-up workshop to discuss the city-hall possibility and other public uses.