Actual construction should be a long time coming, however, as the land currently lacks any urban amenities, such as electricity and storm and sanitary sewers. Substantial road improvements also will be necessary for the site, which lies about one mile from Interstate 5. Off site improvements alone could run as high as $55 million, according to city officials.

The hospital property is considered the largest and most likely redevelopment opportunities in the region, in part because much of it lies within the area's urban growth boundaries. The other large development opportunity in the region, the 300-acre St. Mary's property on the other side of Portland in Hillsboro, will be more difficult to develop, as it remains outside the city's UGB.