Orlando-based Florida Hospital plans to build an apartment complex in College Park, an Orlando neighborhood, geared specifically toward its employees, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
Florida Hospital owns more than 170 acres of land in the College Park area, which is where the complex, called The Ivy, will be built. The hospital has a larger strategy to offer retail, office and recreation areas as well in what is being called Health Village, according to the report.
The decision to build an apartment complex, instead of medical buildings, stems from the system's mission to keep people healthy. For instance, the apartments will not have balconies, to discourage smoking, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Also, employees can walk to the Orlando health system campus or take public transit to work, which is healthier than driving. The complex will also have pools and a fitness center.
In October, Florida Hospital announced it will subsidize 25 percent of employees' fares when they use SunRail — a commuter rail system that will start running in May — to get to work. "We feel that SunRail is a better, healthier way to get to work," Jody Barry, director of facilities administration at Florida Hospital, has said.
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