SPRINGFIELD - Construction on a new major cancer center in Decatur could begin in September after the state signed off on the project Tuesday.

The state Health Facilities Planning Board approved plans for Cancer Care Center of Decatur, a facility that intends to combine the many facets of cancer treatment into one building. It would sit east of the Greater Decatur Y, off McKinley Avenue.

Dr. James Wade, founder of Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, said the consolidation of radiation treatment, cancer research and other offerings under one roof will help patients.

"It's going to make their journey much easier," Wade said.

The new center will combine administration, radiation and medical oncology, imaging, cancer research and a space for complementary medicine, according to a Decatur Memorial Hospital news release. Nutritional counseling, movement therapies such as tai chi and yoga, meditation, massage, reflexology, guided imagery and art and music therapy will be offered.

Wade said the project has been in the works for more than a year, and construction could begin in September. He said the goal is to finish the project by September 2009. In an interview in late 2007, DMH President and CEO Ken Smithmier said he anticipated the center's construction would be completed by late 2009.

Half of the building will be occupied by DMH, and half by Wade's group.

The project is being developed by Chicago-based Lillibridge, and company Vice President Harry Pickrell said Tuesday's state approval was critical.

"It was an important and big stepping-stone," he said.

"We feel very, very grateful to the state," Wade said.

Wade said that while specifics still are unclear, the new care center could create 10 to 20 new high-tech jobs.

The news release indicated area physicians who will have offices in the new center include Drs. Edward Elliott, Mary Anne de Paz and Harold Yoon in radiation oncology and Drs. James Wade, Benjamin Esparaz, Maria Grosse Perdekamp, Dolores Estrada-Garcia, Perry Guaglianone and Mario Velasco in medical oncology.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865. H&R Staff Writer Annie Getsinger contributed to this report.