University of Rochester Plans $240 Million Orthopedics Campus in Rochester, New York

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The University of Rochester (UR) plans to develop The UR Medicine Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center at The Marketplace Mall in Rochester. The 330,000-square-foot facility would be the largest off-site building in UR history. Wilmorite, owner of The Marketplace Mall, plans to sell the former Sears department store and surrounding mall property to UR. Plans call for repurposing the vacant Sears building as the shell for the new ambulatory surgery center, with new operating rooms and procedure rooms. New construction would create a multi-story tower above the surgery center, housing services such as diagnosis and treatment of bone, spine, muscle and joint conditions as well as sports medicine, injury prevention and other wellness services. The Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center could cost up to $240 million, which will be paid for through a combination of philanthropy, UR funds and borrowing. Trustees have approved $11 million for project design. If approvals and construction proceed as expected, the campus could be completed by 2023.