Erlanger discusses future after Health Department acquitision

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Erlanger is thinking about what its future looks like beyond the acquisition of the Hamilton County Health Department.

Announced Tuesday, Erlanger will acquire the 60 year old building on third street to expand their downtown campus.

The hospital’s CEO, Jim Coleman, says they are currently in the exploratory phase of what to do on that property after demolishing the existing structure.

He was asked today if the hospital is eyeing expansion to other nearby sites such as the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, after previously looking at acquiring land on Moccasin Bend.

“It is not,” Coleman said on acquiring the CSAS property. “It has never been in the conversation. I can’t say that I have looked at a map and say “that would nice”, but it’s not a part of the conversation.”

The Health Department plans to construct a new building on the Engel Stadium property adjacent to the stadium.