Heartland Health Media Release
Mark Laney, MD, president and CEO of Heartland Health and Mosaic Life Care today announced the organization’s investment in four properties in Downtown St. Joseph with the intention of moving a portion of its caregivers (employees) who work on administrative services.
“After spending two years in consideration, we decided buying an existing building was the best choice to improve the experience of our caregivers currently located at the Heartland Health Business Plaza,” says Laney. “Another factor weighed heavily on us: the need to do something to enrich the community as a result of this move. We started looking at properties in Downtown St. Joseph. We were searching for a large enough workspace and the availability of off-street parking. After performing due diligence, we decided that the German American Bank Building was ideal for us.”
Along with the German American Bank Building at 624 Felix, three other properties are a part of the downtown development. A building adjacent to the German American Bank Building currently with storefronts identified as 620 and 618 Felix, as well as parking lot areas on the northeast and southwest corners of 7th and Edmond.
The German American Bank Building was constructed in 1889 and is on the National Historic Register. Renovation of the parking areas and building, embracing and protecting the historical significance of its architecture, is expected to take approximately two years. It will accommodate up to 200 caregivers. When complete, the development project investment could equal up to $20 million.
“Our goal of finding the perfect place for our caregivers morphed with great excitement at the chance to lead the way in revitalizing an area ripe with potential. Our move to the German American Bank Building will jumpstart a new era for Downtown St. Joseph, helping to return it to its previous vibrancy,” says Laney.