Banner Health resumes North Scottsdale hospital push Article originally posted on HERE on January 13, 2026 Regarding a new hospital, many communities would have two words: “Yes, please!” Here in Scottsdale, it’s a bit more complicated … After purchasing undeveloped land on Hayden Road just south of the Loop 101, Banner Health announced plans to build a smaller “HealthCare Plus” – and a full-service, full-blown hospital. That might seem logical, considering the growth of the area, from the massive Optima McDowell Mountain luxury apartment complex right next door to the non-stop developments across the freeway. And that’s just Scottsdale. In north Phoenix, just outside Scottsdale’s borders, Optima-like apartments are sprouting like weeds in the Desert Ridge area. But, as the land is in Scottsdale, Banner Health needs city approval for its hospital plan – and headwinds are blowing. Sasha Weller, president of the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association, trashed the Banner plan in 2023 as “an unneeded hospital that puts quality care in jeopardy.” In a Jan. 4 Progress editorial, Mike Welborn, chair of the HonorHealth Board of Directors, insisted Banner is making its hospital rezoning request “despite clear evidence that Scottsdale’s hospital needs are already being met.” And, he added, the Banner plan “raises serious safety and infrastructure issues.” Welborn cited the Sept. 17 Airport Advisory Commission vote to not recommend Banner’s needed map amendment to City Council. Unfazed, Banner continues its long route to City Council. “We are set for the Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 14,” said David Leibowitz, a Banner spokesman. Both the Airport and P&Z are “advisory” commissions, meaning they do not have approval or rejection authority. That, ultimately, will be decided by Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky and the six-member City Council. The Banner Scottsdale Medical Center application is for “a full-service acute-care hospital.” The Banner Health Scottsdale Medical Center overview: Two patient towers (four and five stories—74 feet tall); 300 licensed patient beds at full build out; Ground helipad (Phase I) & roof helipad (future phase); Landscape, hardscape, open space, respite path; Vehicular access from Hayden Road, Mayo Boulevard and Miller Road. Healthcare heavyweights The Banner-HonorHealth rivalry here dates back to the end of 2023, when HonorHealth’s $84 million bid topped Banner Health for 48 acres of state trust land on the north side of the Loop 101. After being beaten to the punch by HonorHealth, Banner sharply countered months later, buying land on the other side of the Loop 101. In 2023, Banner said it hoped to open its Scottsdale hospital/campus in 2026. While that is hardly likely to happen, Banner is racing ahead on a smaller, “HealthCare Plus” medical center on the campus. According to Leibowitz, “We anticipate it being open in early 2027.” Asked to respond to Welborn’s editorial, Leibowitz said, “It’s unfortunate that another hospital system has decided to vocalize concerns about the expansion of healthcare choice in Scottsdale – even though they are aggressively expanding in other parts of the Valley. “It’s unclear why the expansion of healthcare is acceptable in other places, but not Scottsdale.” He added the Banner rezoning request “is fundamentally a land use decision and not a broader debate about healthcare policy or needs. “We’ve heard from hundreds of residents who agree.” Leibowitz also pushed back against Weller’s claims – echoed by others – that the new hospital will put pressure on medical professionals. “Healthcare staffing is a regional and national issue – not just in Scottsdale and you don’t fix that by reducing healthcare options,” Leibowitz said. “The need for more healthcare exists and will continue to grow. BannerHealth, as the state’s largest private employer, trains more doctors and nurses than any other healthcare system in Arizona – for the benefit of every healthcare system in Arizona.” Rather than being a “drain,” Leibowitz said the Scottsdale medical center “will help expand that pipeline while meeting rising demand.” He said the Banner campus “will offer signature services – such as MD Anderson oncology treatment, University of Arizona academic medicine and world-class cardiology – providing specialty care and connecting everything in one place so healthcare is easier to navigate. The Banner spokesman’s bottom line: “Banner Health is making a $750 million private investment that won’t cost residents a penny, and a large job creator with 2,500 good quality jobs at build out, which strengthens the city’s long-term tax base while improving quality of life. “This is the right project in the right location and will provide options for residents to get more of the care they already need without leaving Scottsdale.”