University of Utah Medical Center planned for Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs is projected to soon gain an additional medical center right in the heart of the city.
The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a concept plan Tuesday night for phase one of the University of Utah Medical Center to be located at the corner of Pioneer Crossing and Market Street, northwest of the new Smith’s Marketplace. The medical center will be 150,000 square feet and the project will cover about 13 acres. Additional offices will be added to the project during the second phase, for a total of a 28-acre project.
The medical center will include an extended-hours urgent care center and possibly a helicopter pad for air medical transports. It will not house an emergency room, however.
That was one thing Councilman Bud Poduska was hoping for, as the city is a significant distance from the nearest hospital, but representatives of the project said it will be more clinic-based and not a full hospital.
Poduska said he was grateful for the medical services the project will bring to the city, and the employment options it could potentially open up for residents as well.
Councilwoman Shellie Baertsch expressed some concerns about the width of the roadways and throughways within the project, and made a point to make sure a traffic study is in the plans. Overall, she was pleased with the plan.
“This will be a benefit to the community and the city,” added Councilman Chris Porter.
According to paperwork shared in the council meeting, the placement of the medical center and other offices puts it very near the future alignment of Mountain View Corridor and other transit-oriented options.