The Riverchase Galleria will not be the site of a new healthcare facility for the city of Hoover.

After considering the almost 37-year-old shopping center as a possible location, city officials today confirmed they have moved on, as the Galleria’s owners are in negotiations for new anchor tenants to be located in the old Sears and Belks portions.

Allan Rice, Hoover city administrator, said in a statement that the Galleria option is now off the table.

“With the fantastic news that all anchor store facilities at the Riverchase Galleria have now been leased as retail stores, the (City of Hoover Healthcare Authority) is now focusing on other locations within Hoover to expand healthcare services.”

In the interim, the authority will continue to work “to expand the healthcare footprint in our city,” Rice said.

There was no comment from the city on what the anchor stores will be.

Riverchase Galleria General Manager Mike White said current negotiations for anchor tenants are “very encouraging.”

“We can’t go into any details about any deals in play right now, but we’re extremely excited about the future at Riverchase Galleria,” White said. “We can definitely anticipate one announcement in the next quarter, if not two.”

Last year, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said the city is looking at a healthcare facility as it is the largest city in Alabama without its own hospital.

The authority last fall was considering a facility with a heavy outpatient focus and what are known as extended observation or “23-hour beds.”

The Sears building, which Brocato called “low hanging fruit,” was pegged as a natural given its existing structure.

With ground-level parking and a five-story parking deck attached, it has been unoccupied since 2019.