The planning board has approved the first phase of A.D. Makepeace's Rosebrook Technology Park on Monday, January 25th, clearing the way for construction of a 65,000 square-foot medical office building.

About two-thirds of the building is expected to be occupied by Southcoast Hospital Group which plans to use the space for physician offices, radiology services and laboratory services.

"Southcoast is very excited because the building offers one central location that is convenient for patients," said Southcoast public information officer Joyce Brennan.  "It will be a state-of-the-art facility."

According to A.D. Makepeace director of marketing and communications Linda Burke, the company is working with Southcoast to bring in other clients with compatible uses.

"We're working with the hospital so that anybody we bring in is a good fit for them," said Burke, suggesting that complimentary medical or health services such as private physical therapists or medical equipment companies might be attracted to the site.

The building is the first of three 65,000 square-foot buildings proposed for the technology park.  The land is located to the north of a commercial area along Route 28 on property owned by A.D. Makepeace that extends into Carver and Plymouth. Light industrial and commercial development is focused on Wareham, while the land is reserved for residential development in Carver and conservation in Plymouth

"It was jobs in Wareham, a village in Carver, and nothing in Plymouth," Burke said.

Phases two and three of the project include a hotel/conference center from a major hotel chain, retail including a large chain drugstore, and a restaurant. According to a fiscal impact analysis commissioned by A.D. Makepeace, the completed development will provide the town with a net tax revenue of $400,000 per year.  The development is expected to result in 650 permanent jobs, 70 of which will result from the medical office building.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for the spring.