The developer of Hoover’s Stadium Trace Village has released a statement saying he is not behind a challenge to the city seeking a certificate of need for a new healthcare project.

Will Kadish, developer and manager of Broad Metro, said he sees “no reason why two quality surgical centers cannot coexist 12 miles apart from one another.”

“I want to make it unequivocally clear that neither I nor Broad Metro had any involvement in initiating this challenge. Our focus has always been on our projects and ensuring they bring maximum benefit to the community,” Kadish said in his statement.

The City of Hoover is currently seeking a certificate of need for Riverwalk Health & Wellness Center, a proposed healthcare center in a mixed-use development, which would be located on a 90-acre tract near Riverchase Parkway.

Opposing the project is the Forest Park Group, which is being led by Loree Skelton, the sister of former Hoover Mayor Brian Skelton. Loree Skelton is also CEO of South Haven Nursing Home in Hoover.

One aspect of the second phase of Hoover’s Stadium Trace Village development is a 50,000 sq.-ft. surgical hospital with 25 beds, along with 20,000 square feet of space for medical offices.

Last week, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said during a hearing dealing with the certificate application, that he has never contested a surgery center for Stadium Trace Village.

He also said Pat Lynch, acting as a lobbyist for developer Broad Metro, had told him in March the opposition could go away if he supported an incentive package for Stadium Trace Village.

“I was really kind of stunned he asked me that question because he’s my friend,” Brocato said. “I said, ‘No, I’m not going to do that. That sounds a little bit like blackmail.’”

Lynch last week denied the allegation.

In his statement, Kadish said phase one of Stadium Trace Village generates more than $70 million in annual taxable sales and lodging revenue for the city.

“The development has already contributed more than over $10 million revenue directly benefiting the Hoover school system, Jefferson County and the biggest beneficiary being the City of Hoover,” he said. “I must express my frustration with certain Hoover officials’ ongoing insinuations that I am behind this challenge. These unfounded allegations are distracting and undermine the hard work and positive impact Broad Metro has achieved in Hoover.

“I have always conducted my business with transparency and integrity, and it is disheartening to see such baseless claims persist,” Kadish said. “Broad Metro values the trust that the City of Hoover has placed in us, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards in all our endeavors. Our goal remains to contribute positively to the community, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.”