Hospital expected to invigorate Riverton

Riverton (Salt Lake Tribune) » Intermountain Healthcare's new hospital here promises to bring much-needed medical services to communities on the southwest end of the Salt Lake Valley.

The $160 million hospital complex, though, with its three buildings on 63 acres at 3741 W. 12600 South, will do more than provide hospital beds, physician offices and emergency services.

It also is expected to serve as a catalyst for future economic development in Riverton and surrounding communities.

"Certainly the main benefit the hospital will bring to the area is the quality medical services that will be available," Riverton Mayor Bill Applegarth said Tuesday afternoon at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the hospital's planned opening Nov. 2.

But he anticipates the development also will spark additional residential, retail and commercial development in the area where vacant fields now sit ready and waiting for the bulldozer's roar and the cracking of the carpenter's nail gun.

"We're already seeing a lot of people moving into Riverton, Herriman and South Jordan who will be working at the hospital," he said. "But that is just the beginning. We're going to see all kinds of new development."

The hospital will be staffed by 700 employees, plus 150 physicians.

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