CF Council to give final approval to new hospital plans

Yahoo

18-02-2025

CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Chippewa Falls City Council is set to give final approval tonight to allow Aspirus Health to construct a new hospital in the southeast corner of the city.
'We have the one last step left, the purchase agreement,' Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman said Monday. 'But the legwork is all done, and we're positioned where we should be able to wrap everything up (today).'
Last week, the city's Plan Commission unanimously approved the conditional use permit for the hospital, and the Council will meet tonight in closed session on the developer's agreement. The hospital will be constructed on a 22.1-acre parcel located on the north side of Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, across from the city's fire station.
Hoffman said it has been a whirlwind year, since HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital announced in January 2024 that it would close in March.
'From where we were a year ago, to where we are today — it was such a devastating thing to the community,' Hoffman said. 'And now, we'll be able to provide health care again to the community. It really is a good feeling. Everyone has worked very hard to make this come together.'
Hoffman said Aspirus has been 'outstanding' to work with, and he's excited to have them come here.
'It's hard to put into words, to go from being despondent to having this all come together,' he said.
Aspirus Health previously announced that the hospital will include both emergency care and clinic-based primary care services. Estimated employment is 38 full-time workers along with 17 part-time employees and the building would feature 12 hospital beds, 18 total exam rooms and two procedure rooms, along with X-ray, CT and US imaging centers, and a lab area.
According to Aspirus' website, the construction period could take 18 months, and they hope to break ground this spring.
With a team of 14,000 employees, Wausau-based Aspirus operates 18 hospitals and more than 130 outpatient locations across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a press release states.
Battery plant moves forward
The Plan Commission last week also approved the conditional use permit for KYMA Batteries to open their production facility in the former EOG Resources sand processing plant. The City Council will review and approve the Plan Commission minutes tonight.
'That has been approved and they are up and going,' Hoffman said. 'I think it's good; it's another nice addition. It's all about (economic) diversity. I'm looking forward to seeing the city work with them.'
KYMA Battery officials rejected the city in 2023, only to return in fall 2024 with a new plan — instead of refurbishing old and damaged batteries, the plan now is to build new batteries on the 88-acre site.
The conditional use permit approved in Chippewa Falls stated the fire department must inspect the facility at least twice a year, and that if there is an environmental issue at the facility, the company is solely responsible for the cleanup efforts. Also, all batteries and components must be stored in an area that has a fire detection system and a fire suppression system.
The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. today at Chippewa Falls City Hall, 30 W. Central St.