Published in the September 18, 2015 edition

By BOB BURGESS

WAKEFIELD — Hallmark Health System spent $3.12 million to buy Greenwood land once home to Wakefield Subaru with the intention of constructing a medical office building on Main Street.

On August 21, Hallmark bought three parcels of land numbered 888 Main St. One was sold by Soursourian Realty Trust for $780,000, another by a group with a similar name for $780,000 and a third by Haig Demarjian RET for $1,560,000.

Hallmark is in the midst of expanding its operation at the Merlose-Wakefield Hospital and plans to construct a new medical office building on the Greenwood property.

Hallmark is in the process of expanding its operation at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and the planned medical office building in Greenwood is part of that expansion, according to Hugh Kelleher, Hallmark’s Assistant Vice President for Support and Ancillary Services.

Kelleher appeared before the Wakefield Board of Selectmen on Monday and provided some specifics on Hallmark’s plans for the site.

He said that the new Wakefield facility will house primary care physicians as well as a walk-in clinic. X-ray and lab collection facilities are also likely, he said.

The project is still in the design and programming phases, Kelleher said, adding that the proposal for the building and site would go before Hallmark’s Board of Trustees later this month. The exact size of the building has yet to be determined, according to Kelleher, who said that a couple of scenarios are under consideration.

“We’re very happy to be moving into Wakefield,” he said.

On Monday, Sept. 21, the Melrose Planning Board will hold public hearing on two Site Plan applications submitted by Hallmark Health Corporation on September 21 at the Milano Senior Center, 201 West Foster St. The public is encouraged to attend.

The following are brief descriptions of the two cases:

• Site Plan Review Case 15-006: Lower Porter Street Parking Lot, 775 Main St. and 8 Porter St.

Hallmark Health Corporation proposes to create a surface parking lot by demolishing the existing structures at 775 Main St. and 8 Porter St. The Lower Porter Street Parking Lot will contain 21 parking spaces.

• Site Plan Review Case 15-007: Upper Porter Street Parking Lot, 18, 20 and 24 Porter St.

Hallmark Health Corporation proposes to create a surface parking lot by demolishing the existing structures at 18, 20 and 24 Porter St. The Upper Porter Street Parking Lot will contain 47 parking spaces.

The documents submitted to the Planning Board as part of the application can be viewed at https://www.cityofmelrose.org/departments/office-of-planning-community-development/site-plan-review-applications-surface-parking-lots.

As for the purchase of the Greenwood land, a Hallmark spokesman said, “Hallmark Health System has purchased the site at 888 Main St. in Wakefield with the intent of constructing a medical office building to better serve residents of Wakefield, Melrose and surrounding communities.”

Hallmark is in merger talks with Partners HealthCare, which wants to expand north of its Boston base.