Mercy to build Branson clinic at abandoned motel site

With the purchase of an abandoned Branson motel, Mercy Springfield Communities is moving forward with the development of a two-story clinic.

Mercy has yet to set a groundbreaking date, but the health system plans to demolish the former Branson Inn - which it purchased Dec. 31 - in March, according to Dr. Rob Steele, Mercy senior vice president of market growth and development. Steele said the estimated project cost - including the purchase of the building, demolition and construction - is $34 million.

Removal of the motel would make way for a 62,000-square-foot clinic located at highways 65 and 248. The facility would include urgent care, pharmacy, imaging and surgery services.

"We have served patients in Stone and Taney counties for years, and this builds upon those relationships," Steele said in a news release. "Our research found many people are underserved when it comes to health care in that community, and we want to fill that need.”

Mercy spokeswoman Lisa Cox said Mercy also is in talks to purchase the old Oak Ridge Boys Theatre, which is directly north of the former Branson Inn. Steele said the property would be held for later development in the Branson region.

The intersection of highways 65 and 248 is about a mile north of Cox Medical Center Branson, formerly known as Skaggs Regional Medical Center.

Mercy spokeswoman Cox downplayed the proximity of Mercy's planned facility to the CoxHealth-owned hospital.

"I know they were looking at several different pieces of land. I think a big contributor to purchasing this was its accessibility from that intersection," Cox said of Mercy's site selection.

Steele said Mercy would relocate primary care employees from a nearby clinic on Highway 248. Mercy operates several facilities in Branson, including urgent care, family care and orthopedic clinics.

On Highway 65 - in southeast Springfield - Mercy is building a $116 million orthopedic hospital and was cleared this week to build an adjacent $28 million rehabilitation hospital.