Medical Center Unveils Plans for Sister Bay Clinic

The second floor of the project includes space for rehabilitation services and expanded community programming. “We specifically created these areas on the second floor because we want people to see this as a community space, as much as our space,” said Brian Stephens, CEO of Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. Submitted.

The Sister Bay Plan Commission liked what it saw of the proposed Door County Medical Center (DCMC) Sister Bay Clinic and granted preliminary approval of the plans Tuesday evening.

“Preliminary approval means we like what we see,” said Denise Bhirdo, chair of the village’s plan commission.

Budgeted at $14.5 million, the two-story, 30,000-square-foot project at 2345 Canterbury Lane would enable DCMC to not only keep up with the growing demand for health care services in Northern Door, but also expand the services it offers.

“Our Fish Creek clinic and Sister Bay rehab services are two of our busiest sites,” said Brian Stephens, CEO of Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. “This location will not only allow us to grow and bring in new clinicians and services we don’t currently offer, but have those clinicians and physicians be co-located for the first time.”

The first floor of the building would house the clinic and a pharmacy that would be open to both clinic patients and the general public. Stephens added that DCMC is in conversations with local pharmacies – not a chain pharmacy – to fill that space.

The second floor would house rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy, as well as the addition of behavioral-health services. The second floor would also feature two community classrooms and a common outdoor space.

As for the fate of the DCMC’s Fish Creek clinic, that has yet to be determined. 

“We looked at expanding in Fish Creek, but ultimately the move six or so miles north made more sense with this property being available, located right on the highway and big enough for us to build for growth,” Stephens said. 

He added that preliminary studies had revealed the move to Sister Bay would be more convenient for 55% of the current patients at the Fish Creek clinic, and slightly less convenient for 45% of current patients. 

The next steps are for DCMC to return to the plan commission with final plans and negotiate a development agreement, which then goes to the village’s board of trustees for final approval. 

If all goes as planned, construction could begin in the spring of 2022, with an anticipated opening in November 2022.

Little Sister Condominium Project Tabled for Special Meeting

The request from Lance and Bridget Crane for a conditional-use permit that would allow a residential condominium project at 10607, 10611 and 10620 Little Sister Road was tabled. The plan commission will revisit the plans, as well as additional requested information, during a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:30 pm.