Central Health in talks with potential Brackenridge Campus builder

In case you missed it, Central Health’s board of directors has picked its preferred partner in a project that would transform the northeastern corner of downtown Austin. On Wednesday, the board voted to send the hospital district’s staff to enter into talks with Wexford Science & Technology that could lead to the Baltimore-based firm’s formal selection as the master developer of the Brackenridge Campus project. Central Health began shopping for partners last September in the massive redevelopment of the former University Medical Center Brackenridge at East 15th and Red River streets. At the time, conceptual renderings of the 14.3-acre property included six residential, commercial, medical and hotel high-rises. In a press release announcing the vote, Central Health President and CEO Mike Geeslin is credited with saying, “Selecting a preferred master developer is an important first step to move this project forward. We look forward to starting this process and keeping the board and community apprised of our progress.” Demolition of the former hospital building could still be up to a year away, while construction on the new development is still two to three years away.