Two Atlanta teams of architects and builders unveiled their rival "Imagine Erlanger" plans before a crowd of 400 Chattanoogans at the IMAX Theater on Tuesday night.
Erlanger CEO Kevin Spiegel, who wants to convert T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital into a world class facility, rated the plans "unbelievable." He and other Erlanger officials were seeing them for the first time.
Both plans situate a new childrens-womens hospital on the north side of Third and Hampton. The Massoud Building at the current Childrens Hospital would be converted to a stroke center.
The plans also include a new medical science building at Third and Palmetto as well as an ambulatory center across from the childrens-womens hospital.
The teams also envisioned a hotel, residential, restaurants and retail along Third near Central on land not now owned by the hospital.
A team from Stanley Beaman Sears and Turner Construction spoke of creating a health, education and wellness district.
The group from HKS Architects and McCarthy Construction talked of a wellness innovation district. Mr. Spiegel said he wants to see medical devices and medicines created in one of the new buildings.
Bruce Komiske, a Spiegel associate who is overseeing the project, told the audience the vision cannot come to pass unless Chattanoogans are willing to generously fund it. He said, "None of this will happen unless the community embraces it and gets behind it."
Julie Taylor, who heads Erlanger development, said there will be an event Oct. 30 surrounding the movie "Louder Than Words" about a couple who led a fundraising drive to build a childrens hospital after their daughter died of rabies. She said the Fareri couple will be in Chattanooga for the event.
Mr. Komiske said a decision on which team to use will be made in about a week. He said input from those at the meeting would be one factor.
He said there is not a cost figure for the project at this point, but he said it is hoped to begin construction on the first building in about a year.
The design firms spent about $200,000 on getting their presentations ready, it was stated. Erlanger will not be responsible for reimbursing any of that amount.