TAMPA — BayCare is getting ready to expand its West Tampa campus.

The health care system is acquiring a 36-acre office park next to the St. Joseph's campus.

BayCare said it plans to use the new property to consolidate services and create a headquarters for its medical education and research programs.

It also wants to eventually link the buildings to the three St. Joseph's hospitals there.

“As West Central Florida grows, so must BayCare to continue our mission to improve our communities’ health,” said Stephanie Conners, BayCare president and CEO.

“The opportunity to buy such a large piece of property contiguous to one of our largest medical campuses provides us the opportunity to expand important specialty services for our patients and communities. This expanded campus will serve the entire region as a medical destination for specialty care.”

The acreage increases by more than 75% of the health system’s property holdings in the West Tampa neighborhood.