Sanford Explores New Hospital In Fargo

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Sanford Health is exploring the idea of building a hospital in North Dakota's largest city that would cost as much as $300 million. It would be the largest project in Fargo history.

The plan being considered by the health system's board would put a new health center in Fargo between 2013 and 2016. It would be the largest single project for the network since a merger last year united Sanford Health of Sioux Falls and Fargo-based MeritCare.

Sanford-MeritCare has two hospitals in Fargo: a 380-bed downtown center on 20 acres and a 200-bed unit on a smaller campus. The new hospital would be on 100 acres MeritCare bought in 2000 in south Fargo.

Dennis Millirons, president of MeritCare Medical Center in Fargo, says the planning process will begin if the health system's board decides to pursue the new facility.