UNC REX Healthcare announced Wednesday its plan to open a new Cancer Center to meet the growing need for oncology treatment and services.

Construction on the four-story, 145,000-square-foot project is set to start in the spring of 2019 at the corner of Blue Ridge and Macon Pond roads, across the street from the main Raleigh campus.

The building is scheduled to open in late 2020. Details of the design plans have yet to be finalized.

The construction is based on UNC REX’s needs to accommodate growth in oncology patients driven by the aging and growing population in the Wake County.

Wake was the 57th fastest growing county nationally between 2010 and 2017, growing 18.2 percent during the period. Its median age also continuously grow over the past years, according to Wake County government.

“We believe our new Cancer Center will create a hub for oncology care for patients from across Wake County and Eastern North Carolina,” said Steve Burriss, president of UNC REX.

With doubled space in the new Cancer Center, UNC REX also intends tohelp streamline the work of multidisciplinary oncology teams and improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“The physicians and other caregivers are especially pleased to have the space to offer even more support services to our patients and their families,” said Dr. Susan Moore, medical director of UNC REX Hematology Oncology.

Founded in 1894, UNC REX is a private, not-for-profit health care system. With more than 6,400 co-workers, UNC REX dedicates to provide various health care services throughout Wake County with facilities in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Knightdale, Wakefield and downtown Raleigh.

The complete announcement could be found here.