CASPER, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming has used federal CARES Act funds allocated to UW by Governor Mark Gordon to purchase a medical facility adjoining the campus in Laramie.
UW said on Dec. 23 that they purchased the Mountain View Medical Park building and property for $8.4 million. The university plans to use the facility as a COVID-19 testing site and eventually as a site to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
Another purpose of the purchase was to consolidate the university’s ownership of land on the northeast end of their campus, UW said. The property is located at 2710 Harney Street in Laramie.
UW also plans to use the property to provide space for the “WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) Medical Education Program and other future health sciences and related program needs.”
The two story building is 31,255 square feet and sits on a 5.12 acre property.
“Current tenants of the facility — medical and dentistry offices for several local firms — remain in the building under existing leases that extend for two more years,” UW said. “UW already is putting unused space to use for its COVID-19 confirmatory testing, with plans to administer coronavirus vaccine there to members of the UW community when it becomes available.”
UW President Ed Seidel addressed the acquisition: “We appreciate the governor’s allocation of CARES Act funding to make this purchase possible and address some immediate needs related to the pandemic. The acquisition also will provide long-term benefits for the university due to the location — it’s surrounded by UW-owned property — and our need for future space for our programs.”
UW said they had been leasing space in the building for the WWAMI program prior to the purchase of the building.
“While this purchase will meet an immediate health care need, we’re excited about the opportunities it presents for the future,” said UW College of Health Sciences Dean David Jones. “It’s a wonderful facility in a great spot for us. We deeply appreciate the governor’s quick action to take advantage of a great opportunity.”
