ST. PETERSBURG, FL-As demand for new outpatient healthcare facilities continues to grow across the United States, the need for new cancer centers is keeping up the pace. The reason is simple: More demand created by a growing and aging population.

One development firm has found a nice niche developing smaller, yet comprehensive, cancer centers for clients. St. Petersburg, FL-based Optimal Outcomes LLC recently completely its third cancer in the past five years.

The company's new 36,000-square foot, $10 million cancer center opened in recent months in Tampa. It is 100% occupied by Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, which has consolidated physicians and services from three area locations into the new building at 3402 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The facility is about a block away from St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa and across the street from a complex that is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football stadium.

As it's done with other projects, Optimal Outcomes located and acquired the land and put itself at risk for the design, development and construction of the project. The idea of such a partnership is to give the user of the facility the benefits of ownership without incurring the development risk. Florida Cancer Specialists, which has more than 50 locations throughout the state, has an option to acquire the building after a period of time.

According to officials with Optimal Outcomes and Florida Cancer Specialists, doctors played a role in designing the new facility, which includes medical oncology, radiology, radiation oncology, hematological pathology, diagnostic laboratory and clinical research services.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new cancer care center, Brad Prechtl, CEO of Florida Cancer Specialists, said that in his 20 years in the industry he has visited more than 60 cancer treatment centers.

“Bar none, I think this is the most state-of-the-art, best facility I have seen,” he told a crowd. “We first envisioned this project with the goal to provide comprehensive medical and oncology services under one roof.”

Patrick Marston, founder of Optimal Outcomes, added: “Nowhere does proper design have greater significance than in cancer care. Subtle aspects like improved aesthetics, better clinical layouts, soothing décor and sustainable design make a significant difference in treatment.”

The development firm has been in business for about 40 years, during which time it has provided ambulatory healthcare facility services for physicians, hospitals and provider networks. 

John Mugford is the Editor of Healthcare Real Estate Insights™, the nation's first and only publication totally dedicated to covering news and trends in healthcare real estate development, financing and investment. For more information, please visit www.HREInsights.com.