Hospital buys Andy's land

Sonora Regional Medical Center representatives said Thursday they have purchased the former Andy’s Home Center property on Greenley Road for a planned hospital expansion, confirming reports of a possible sale at the time of Andy’s closure.

Escrow on the property, at 900 Mono Way, closed Tuesday, according to hospital spokeswoman Gail Witzlsteiner.

Demolition is planned “in the very near future,” according to a hospital statement.

The upcoming demolition will involve only the Andy’s building, not the adjacent mattress store, Witzlsteiner said.

Sonora Regional plans to move its cancer center to the location. It will be part of a “medical pavilion” that would also house rehabilitation and medical office space.

No date was given for when that work is planned.

Jeff Eller, the hospital’s CEO, said in a prepared statement that expansion will meet hospital demands for the next decade.

“In looking to the future and anticipating the health care needs of our community, we felt that it was important to purchase this property that is in such close proximity to the Medical Center,” he said. “We are excited about the possibilities this acquisition has for advancing healthcare in Tuolumne County.”

Andy’s Home Center closed late last year and its owner, Steve Anderson, retired.

The sale price was not disclosed.

The parcels that make up 900 Mono Way were last assessed on Jan. 1 for a combined $3.17 million, according to the county Assessor’s Office.