By ERIN EDGEMON-March 5, 2007-1:57 PM

Middle Tennessee Medical Center's Chief Executive Officer Gordon Ferguson said after 80 years the hospital's "vision of the future is becoming a reality."

The ground for the MTMC medical office building was ceremoniously broken Monday during a ceremony for local dignitaries and hospital officials. The four-story, 120,000-square-foot medical office building is just the first phase of what is being planned on the 68.5-acre site of the new MTMC on Medical Center Parkway.

At times, MTMC officials didn't think the groundbreaking would ever happen, Ferguson said. Talks of a new hospital began in 1998.

"You have my commitment that we will keep this project going," he said to large group that gathered under a tent on the site of the future hospital.

By the time the yet-to-be-named Medical Office Building is completed in spring 2008, MTMC officials hope to be breaking ground on the new 286-bed, 600,000-square-foot hospital on the major thoroughfare that was named in large part after the facility. The new MTMC facility is expected to be completed by late 2010.

The medical office building will connect with the new MTMC once both are completed.

Anchor tenants of the medical office building are the Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and the Middle Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center. The surgery center will have six operating rooms and one procedure room.

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance has been in Rutherford County for 29 years and is the largest practice of its kind in Rutherford County, said Richard A. Rogers, a physician in the practice.

"We are looking forward to continuing to grow in this community," he said.

Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Chris Bratcher said MTMC's services and facilities have attracted medical suppliers and top-quality physicians who are having a positive impact on Murfreesboro's economy.

Jennifer Garland, project manager for the new MTMC, said the medical office building is more than 50 percent leased.

BremnerDuke Healthcare Real Estate, the developer/owner of the new building, is offering physicians 10-year lease terms for space with an option to buy. The company is offering a $19.05 per square foot triple net lease.

Currently, space is available on the third and fourth floors of the building.

The new MTMC facility will have shelled space for additional beds in anticipation of the county's continued growth, said hospital officials. The facility will likely have 32 intensive care beds and 30 obstetrical beds. Last year, MTMC began working with Gresham, Smith and Partners on the design of the building.

Ferguson said MTMC is still "looking at various options" for the hospital's downtown facility. He said hospital officials want to make a decision that will be the best for the community.

He said hospital officials have been in discussions with Nashville-based SeniorHealth, which was looking at turning the MTMC facility into a psychiatric facility. Even though SeniorHealth announced that it is planning to build a facility at the corner of Wilkinson Pike and North Thompson Lane, Ferguson said that company or another that offers psychiatric treatment is still interested in the MTMC facility.

MTMC also has had discussions with MTSU officials about possibly utilizing the facility.

Ferguson said the hospital has determined that the MTMC Cancer Center will be among the programs that will remain downtown in its current location.

MTMC is a member of Saint Thomas Health Services, a faith-based ministry with more than 7,200 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health Services consists of four hospitals. It is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.