On March 1st, CREW Jacksonville featured industry experts, Fran Pepis, Colliers International Northeast Florida and Dave Collins, Lincoln Properties, Property Manager for Memorial (HCA) to discuss the impact healthcare has had on commercial real estate including trends in office locations, size and amenities, how technology has affected medical offices and hospital design and predictions on demand for new medical space of all types (office, large hospital, urgent care, specialty, etc.) The moderator for the event was Teresa Durand, Auld & White Constructors and former President of CREW Jacksonville.
The audience was educated about many of the challenges facing private practitioners, including difficulty in getting financing, business headaches, and finding it harder to compete against hospitals. Many of them are leaving their private practices to join hospitals who are investing in medical office buildings and locating them where the population is. Many of these physicians are sharing office space.
The presenters reported that there are 16 nursing colleges/universities in Jacksonville, four that opened in the last 2-3 years. Additionally, there are 16 dialysis centers, four that opened in the last year. There is ripple effect on peripheral businesses. We're seeing an increase in medical/nursing education, physical therapy and chiropractic. He feels a medical school in Jacksonville should be rallied and that UF is endorsing it.
The event was heavily attended by a mix of CREW members and guests. CREW hosts regular lunches on real estate topics throughout the year. Visit the calendar of events on their website www.crewjax.org.
