Demolition of former March buildings begins Published Dec. 27, 2010 By Master Sgt. Linda Welz Fourth Air Force Public Affairs MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE,CALIF. -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in a demolition ceremony that paved the way for America's first health and wellness city, March LifeCare, a six-million square foot, 236-acre complex built from scratch on former March Air Force Base surplus land. "Today we are celebrating the destruction, where normally we celebrate the building, because sometimes you've got to just say "Hasta la vista, baby!" he said. The first of approximately 40 buildings to be demolished during the next four to five months, was crushed by two U.S. Demolition wrecking machines in front of a cheering crowd consisting of state and local city officials, local military personnel and community members. Looking through the lens of a camera as the demolition began was Staff Sgt. Keith Lawson, 4th Combat Camera Squadron still photographer, March ARB, Calif., who had a special connection to the building being destroyed. Sergeant Lawson was born at the March AFB Hospital 35 years ago. He could see the looming hospital building a few streets away where a 20 by 35 foot banner was hung near the top floor to announce the project. As he stood at the site of Tuesday's demolition, the old daycare center, he heard that the hospital would be torn down within the next six weeks. "I heard the governor tell them to tear it (the daycare center) down so we could move forward, then I watched as the heavy machinery came crashing down on my old daycare center," he said. "I was shocked to be there to witness it. It's like I've come full-circle. There were a lot of good memories from playing at that daycare center and now I'm here documenting its demolition," he said. He said he remembers playing with his younger brother and sister there as well as friends and the kindness of the daycare workers who watched over them all. "I hope that this new medical complex will help research and find new cures for diseases as well as allow future graduates the opportunity to find good employment. It will serve as a living testament. If we work together, like they tried to teach us in daycare, with our appointed leaders and citizens, we will accomplish many causes for celebration," Sergeant Lawson said. The governor said there are many reasons to celebrate this project such as job creation, building something that no one in the world has ever seen and extraordinary economic activities. Veterans are another reason to celebrate, the governor said. A self-proclaimed, big-believer in veterans, the governor said they will get medical care here better than in any other place in the country. "I love our veterans because, as an immigrant, coming here from Austria, I know that I came here, to the greatest country in the world. But, it can only be the greatest country in the world when there are people fighting for that freedom. So when those brave men and women come back, we've got to give them the best care and everything they need," he said. Although in the middle of budget negotiations, the governor said he came here to put the spotlight on this terrific project. He said it fits in so well with California because the state is number one in so many different areas. "California has great visionaries and innovative people. We are doing something that no one else is doing, which is a win on every single level. This is going to be considered, when it's done, the Mayo Clinic of the West," the governor said. The March LifeCare facility is a six-year endeavor by the March Healthcare Development. Phase one, will include a 585,000-square foot acute care, hospital, outpatient care, medical office building and ambulatory surgical services facility; a 700,000-square foot skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer care, palliative care and hospice facility; a 15,000-square foot research and education center; and a 100,000-square foot urgent care, retail and restaurant complex. In addition to the hospital, some of the major medical components planned for March LifeCare are the Cancer Center of Excellence that will include the latest in research and treatment, and the Women's Center of Excellence that will focus on disease as it relates to women, and include breast imaging with same day results. Wellness centers, healing gardens, a hotel, and spiritual healing facilities will balance the complex which will focus on person-centered care, the growing trend in health care delivery. "This WILL NOT be a 'me-too' campus. We will do things that have never been done before in health care delivery and design!" said Don Ecker, Founder and Managing Partner, March Healthcare Development. March LifeCare at a glance What is it? A "health and wellness city" that focuses on person-centered care Estimated total cost $3.3 billion Size Six million square feet on 236 acres Planned facilities Hospital, medical office buildings, retail, skilled nursing facilities, continuing care community, wellness centers, healing gardens, hotel, spiritual healing facilities, ambulatory care facilities Expected job creation Phase I: more than 5,000 construction jobs Over the next eight years: 12,700 construction jobs and 7,200 health care and related jobs