Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation Grocery Store Project Moves into Development Phase

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC) and Truman Medical Centers (TMC) finalized the transfer of land from the City of Kansas City and the receivership of the Housing and Economic Development Financial Corporation (HEDFC) to complete the acquisition phase of the grocery store project.

"This is a significant milestone in our grocery store effort, not only will the store further the cause of healthy food in the urban core, but also the continued development of the Beacon Hill area," said HHEDC Chairman and TMC Lakewood Chief Operating Officer Charlie Shields. "Our partners in this phase of the project have been invaluable and we would like to thank TMC, the City of Kansas City, the HEDFC, Zimmer Real Estate and the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority for helping to move this project forward."

With recent studies showing the prevalence of obesity and the increase in nutritional related chronic disease, the TMC grocery store project will help bring quality, healthy choices to the urban core.

"An inherent focus of the grocery store project will be to positively impact the incidences of diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure and obesity within its service community. Creative attributes of the store will include on-line shopping and delivery and disease specific menu development provided by nutritionists and dieticians," said John W. Bluford, TMC President/CEO.  "A secondary benefit to the community will be the micro-economy that it generates by interfacing with local businesses and the creation of local jobs. TMC has worked to expand access to high-quality healthcare and now through the HHEDC we will expand access to a healthy eating lifestyle for people."

The $11.5 million project at 27^th Street and Troost Avenue is designed as a 35,000 square foot one-stop-grocery shop that will include extensive produce, meats, and dairy items as well as specific ethnic foods relevant to the culture and lives of the customers. The store will partner with the community to employ a "local first" approach to include local businesses, urban farmers and community gardens that will provide much of the products available to customers. The store will also include a bakery, floral department, and preassembled and pre-prepared meals. 

The 27^th and Troost store will also have a multi-use commercial kitchen for preparing catered dishes, conducting cooking classes, and hosting community events. A second floor mezzanine will promote interaction with the community and provide a venue for education programs. In addition to the grocery store, there will be educational, entrepreneurial, and economic programs, with classes on healthy cooking, wellness, and entrepreneurial concepts. A farmers' market is planned on the grounds as well as an area for outdoor community events.

About Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation 
The Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC) is focused on urban economic development in the immediate area around Hospital Hill near downtown Kansas City. This health care focus presents the perfect opportunity for business and development projects tied to health care, wellness, and health care technology. Bottom of Form Coinciding with the establishment of an economic development corporation focused on health and wellness, the HHEDC is also laying the groundwork for the landmark project, a community grocery store and produce market, which will provide healthy food choices to an area of the urban core classified as a food desert. For more information, please call (816) 404-3559 or visit http://www.hhedc.com

About TMC
Truman Medical Centers is a not-for-profit, two acute-care hospital health system in Kansas City. The TMC Health System includes TMC Hospital Hill, TMC Lakewood, TMC Behavioral Health, the Jackson County Health Department and a number of primary care practices throughout Eastern Jackson County. TMC is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Missouri-Kansas City Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Pharmacy and specializes in Chronic Disease Management, high risk pregnancies, orthopaedics, trauma services, and women's health.  For more information, please call (816) 404-3785 or visit at www.trumed.org or on Facebook. 

For More Information, contact:
Shane Kovac, Media Relations Manager, (816)404-3786

SOURCE Truman Medical Centers