The University of Miami could soon have the option to develop a hospital directly on its Coral Gables campus as part of a series of planning changes under review by the city.

Coral Gables’ Development Review Committee is scheduled to examine proposed amendments to the university’s campus development agreement on Jan. 30. The agreement outlines future development across UM’s 240.6-acre campus and is being updated alongside revisions to the campus comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.

Among the most significant proposed changes is a modification that would allow a hospital within areas designated as “campus multi-use.” The amendments would also raise the maximum amount of retail space permitted on campus from 15% to 20%, increase the total allowable building square footage by 30%, and expand the southern boundary of the campus footprint. The expanded boundary would extend along Ponce de Leon Boulevard to Levante Avenue and Red Road.

Under the proposal, a hospital could be developed on a site currently used as surface parking between the University Metrorail Station and the Watsco Center. The facility could include inpatient and outpatient services as well as emergency care.

While the university did not comment on the proposal, UM already operates the Lennar Foundation Medical Center, an outpatient facility on its Coral Gables campus. Its existing hospitals, however, are currently located north of Coral Gables within the Miami Health District.

The proposal follows Florida’s elimination of its certificate-of-need requirements for new hospitals, removing a major regulatory barrier to hospital development and giving institutions like UM greater flexibility to expand healthcare infrastructure.

In application materials, UM’s attorney, Jeffrey S. Bass, noted that expanding the campus multi-use subzone is intended to promote redevelopment near the University Metrorail Station and along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, while supporting job growth by allowing more intensive uses within the district.

Healthcare remains a central component of the university’s operations. According to UM’s most recent financial disclosures, health-related programs account for the majority of the institution’s revenue.

Source:  SFBJ