HealthPartners is planning to build in St. Paul what would be the largest free-standing neuroscience center in the Upper Midwest and one of just a few in the country.

The medical center, which would be constructed near Regions Hospital on Phalen Boulevard, will bring together nationally recognized programs for stroke, spinal care, dementia, Parkinson's disease, brain and spine tumors and other neurological disorders.

Denis McCarren, director of neurosciences for HealthPartners, said Sunday that the need for these services is growing. And the number of people with these specific diseases will continue to grow significantly in the next 20 years.

St. Paul is a regional destination, and the proximity to Regions is advantageous, he said. A goal for the center is continuous care, whether within the hospital or through outpatient clinics.

"Our ability to better coordinate care for patients and family is a key driver for putting together this neuroscience center," McCarren said.

The center will include on-site labs, X-ray and MRI services, a neurological rehabilitation area including physical, occupational and speech therapy, and access to research and clinical trials.

"We are designing this with the true intent for patients and family," said McCarren, who has been with HealthPartners for seven years. "These disease processes are complex. … We are looking to design a healing environment, but also one that is state-of-the-art that brings together our clinical excellence not only in the care delivery side, but also research in the building."

Stroke and Alzheimer's are among the leading causes of death in the country, HealthPartners said in a statement, and pain is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor.

McCarren was unable to disclose the project's budget, because the health care organization is still in the pre-construction phase.

Construction on the four-story building is scheduled to begin in the spring and should be complete by early 2017.

Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647

Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora