Methodist Reveals Proposed Wellness Center

Methodist Dallas Medical Center has revealed  plans to build a new Folsom Wellness Center to be located at the site of the present tennis courts, and to replace the existing Folsom Fitness Center.  Per MDMC, this wellness center will be for adults of all ages and NOT a recreation center.  As such, the facility will NOT include Basketball courts,  tennis  courts,  childcare, or a kitchen (other than  a small kitchen for demonstration).  Construction is planned to start in 2018 and finish in early 2020.

Methodist has agreed to the following requests, made by the EKPNA Board:

• There will be NO additional curb cuts on Greenbriar, all public traffic will enter/exit on Beckley.
• The architect plans originally called for a design potentially adversely affecting the neighbors on Greenbriar, across the street from the center, including a reflective roof and lighted signage facing Greenbriar.  On the recommendation of current EKPNA Board President, Josh Skoch, Methodist reworked their design to eliminate the reflective roof and their signage will now face Beckley Ave. 

Additionally, the EKPNA board requested and obtained agreement to the following concessions:

• Existing metal fence along Greenbriar from Haines to Beckley will remain.
• Security lighting is to be directed down and away from houses and sky.
• Sound attenuation louvers be used to prevent noise pollution into the neighborhood.
• The full length windows called for in the original design be replaced by windows less than full height for those facing the homes on Greenbriar.
• The center’s customer and service traffic entry be moved to Beckley (and NOT on Greenbriar, as the architect had proposed) using the existing hospital parking areas. 
• All service and trash pickup traffic to use the new drive on the south side of the building from the new parking area.
• NO construction staging, deliveries or construction parking on Greenbriar, Haines or anywhere within the neighborhood. 

If you would like to learn more, see the review of Methodist’s 16-page graphic presentation as it was present the the EKPNA board.

The proposed new contemporary design facility includes:

• Approximately 230’ x 30’ tall, 31,000 SF, two floor wellness center.
• 154 space parking area with landscaping and a new service area.
• For visual appeal, mechanical equipment will be located on the roof, inside sunken equipment wells.
• Existing pedestrian access into the site at both Haines and Beckley to remain.
• Upon completion of the facility, the existing fitness center will be demolished to make way for a a new parking area and a new drive on the south side of the new facility, to be used by all service and trash pickup traffic.