County Not Giving Up On Site For Hospital

With just a slight twist in circumstances, history appears on the verge of repeating itself concerning the sale of County Farm land to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for a new acute care facility. It was 20 years ago that the Board of Supervisors (now Commissioners) decided not to sell land to the hospital, which even then wanted a new facility. Then the hospital was seeking 60 acres and offered $60,000. This time, beginning several years ago, the county approached St. Joseph officials to see if they would be interested in building a new hospital on the County Farm. This prospect received what could be a fatal blow last Thursday when the hospital announced it had purchased an option to buy 70 acres of land at Ellsworth and State Rds. in Pittsfield Township "for the eventual location of a new acute care hospital y . ' ' ' ty." But county officials have not given up on the County Farm proposition. Cmsr. Neil A. Mast, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, says he will continue efforts to arrange a meeting with hospital authorities to discuss the possible transaction. Mast, like other county officials, reacted with surprise to the hospital's announcement, but admitted he was aware that the State-Ellsworth site was being considered. And Mast also pointed out that the site of the new hospital apparently has not been definitely picked, since it was an option that was purchased and not the land itself . Sister Mary Yvonne, St. Joseph administrator, also says the hospital has not ruled out any site, but adds: "We will put all our efforts in working with this site (State-Ellsworth)." Another matter of consideration is viat the reaction will be from city dais concerning the new site. St. Joseph authorities admit construction of a new hospital on the Pittsfield site would require annexation into the city so the hospital would have pólice, fire and sewer and water services. The option to buy the land is contingent upon the. city annexing and rezoning the land, and such annexation would result in extending water and sewer services. The option runs through next October and then can be renewed on a monthly basis. Whether or not the city would oppose annexing the Ellsworth-State property is purely conjecture at this point. However one official close to the matter says some city authorities have already indicated a preference for the hospital being located on the County Farm land instead of the new location. Among the considerations here are the possible traffic congestión in that area from cars coming f rom and going to the city s nearby airport (which may be expanded), the proposed 149-acre Briarwood Shopping Center one mile north of the new site, and the traffic to and from a Inew hospital, which would eventually total 1,000 beds. . 1 still another consideration is the future of the Human Resources Center that originally was proposed for the County Farm land. Developers of ttus concept viewed the location of St. Joseph's new hospital within the complex as a major component. Along with the acute care hospital it was suggested the center consist of a new county extended care facility, mental health and public health services, plus various other health and social care agencies. St Joseph's announcement concermng the Ellsworth-State site placed emphasis on the fact the hospital had made sure I there ■■■""" hp p"""gh space avaüable íor an entire Human Resources Center to be located there also. Sister Yvonne said throughout the hospitai's search for property, it has always required that there be enough space for both the hospital and the resources center. From the county's standpoint, one of the ma in problems regarding the resources center is money. Officials had been looking at possibly using funds from the sale of County Farm land to tt. Joseph (the county was seeking $900 000) to begin development oL tne center Officials now appear concerned that not only will they not be receiymg this money, but the county might haye to pay out money to buy land at kllsworth and State for development. Also, from the hospitai's standpoint, money was a major consideration. Sister Yvonne said the hospital wants to put all the money it can in construction. And every dollar that soes towards land acquisition is lost for building, snel pcints out. She added that if a great dealB of money was needed to get the land.H this could affect the scope of services ■ and even the number of beds in the newl hospital. . ... I Sister Yvonne also said delays in bmld- ing a new hospital could also cut down! on new programs St. Joseph hopedtoi Offer in the future. She said once the! operations at the oíd hospital can begin I being phased out in favor of a new I structure, the old building could be used I for other medical purposes, such as an I alcohol program. I Yet another matter of consideraron I that may have to be dealt with before the Ellsworth-State site is finally chosen is opposition some persons are predicting from ecologists. This opposition mignt be basicaUy the same presently being registered against Briarwood and lts effect on the State Rd. área. I