The Park Ridge Medical Campus Addition next to Hat Six Road in east Casper is coming along as planned, according to the project manager.

"We have started mass grading the land for the campus and are preparing to build the 45,000-square foot Park Ridge Medical Building," said Dan Guerttman, project manager for Granite Peak Development.

On Monday, several huge graders were scraping and pushing the dirt around as water trucks tried to keep the dust to a minimum.

This evening, the Casper City Council will vote on whether to approve the final plans for the campus addition with the conditions that the applicant, Meadowlands Investment Co., will submit a streetscape plan and that they should be required to install detached sidewalks on both sides of all the streets.

Detached sidewalks mean there will be a grassy area between the curb and sidewalk instead of the sidewalk coming right up to the curb. Guerttman said the sidewalks are a little more expensive, but shouldn't be an issue.

He said once the plans get approval, he anticipates crews will begin building soon, probably starting this fall. The city Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plans on June 27.

"We've been told the Cirrus Group out of Dallas, Texas, will build the medical office buildings," Guerttman said. "It has always been part of the vision of the McMurry Business Park to have a medical campus."

Guerttman said the Park Ridge Medical Building will contain a group of primary care givers called Western Medical Associates. He said National Surgical Hospitals, based in Chicago, is in the process of putting together plans for a possible specialty hospital and medical office, but the company could not be reached Monday afternoon.

In other business, the council will vote on whether to accept a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the Fort Caspar Museum Permanent Exhibit Project. The council also will vote on whether to hire Clarke Design to design, build and install new exhibits at Fort Caspar for $300,000.

The council also will vote on whether to amend its municipal code to add new conditions and restrictions for future bar and grill liquor licenses.

Also planned tonight, the council is scheduled to vote on a proposed fee increase for the Casper Ice Arena, as well as changes to fees at the Casper Family Aquatic Center.

Reporter John Morgan can be reached at (307) 266-0614 or john.morgan@casperstartribune.net.