Apr 27, 2023

PARIC Transforms Healthcare for a Small-Town Community

The small Illinois town of Danville was growing, but its healthcare infrastructure had yet to. Operating out of two facilities, one an old converted grocery store, the community desperately needed a modern building that could provide medical services to the city’s residents. Carle Health recognized it was time to invest in and commit to Danville—they chose PARIC to bring that commitment to life. 

The site chosen was strategic—a 17-acre plot primarily comprised of condemned housing was cleared for the build. 

“We ended up clearing about 60 houses that were just falling apart and had become a site for crime around that area,” Project Executive Mike Hayes said. “These were properties that were beyond needing repair. Ultimately, the project brought up the value of the area.”

The 17-acre plot is now home to Carle at the Riverfront—a 152,000 sq. ft. facility. The $70 million project is the largest development in Vermilion County in the past 50 years, which of course, drew lots of interest from the community. 

“There would be times when we would be going around town, and we would have the PARIC logo on our shirts or trucks, and we would get stopped,” Ruck said. “Folks would ask if we were working on the Carle Hospital. They were just so excited about the build.”

– BILL RUCK, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

“Residents would drive by all the time and check on the progress,” said PARIC Senior Project Manager Bill Ruck. “They would make comments like, ‘It looks amazing. I can’t believe how far along it’s coming so quickly, or I can’t believe it is already open.’”

Ruck and his crew, who lived in Danville five days a week during the course of the project, became minor celebrities around town. 

“There would be times when we would be going around town, and we would have the PARIC logo on our shirts or trucks, and we would get stopped,” Ruck said. “Folks would ask if we were working on the Carle Hospital. They were just so excited about the build.”

Hayes found fans of the project all the way down in Florida. 

“My family and I went to Disney last year, and my father-in-law is one of those people who talks to everyone,” Hayes said. “We were at the Magic Kingdom waiting for the fireworks to go off, and he started talking to the couple next to us. Turns out, they were from Danville. He mentioned that I was working on the Carle project, and those folks were so excited. They started going on about how awesome the project is for the area and how they love that it is happening.”