The fifth anniversary of the closing of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center is about three weeks away and protesters plan to mark it with a demonstration on the preceding weekend.
It was on Aug. 13, 2008 that the hospital closed and nothing has happened yet to restore an acute care facility at the Randolph Road site, where only an emergency room remains.
The notion of putting up 600 luxury condos on the site is still around, despite vigorous objections from Plainfield residents, especially those in the small neighborhoods around the shuttered hospital.
Keep an eye out for more news on the closing and the owner's plans for the site as Aug. 13 approaches.
--Bernice
At last week's Community Advisory Group meeting, chaired by Mayor Robinson-Briggs, JFK spokesperson Adam Beder presented a short slide show updating the hospital group's overall wish list. It includes 614 apartment rentals falling in the $1500-1600/mo range for a one bedroom and higher for larger units. JFK also wants to invest $2.5 million for a state of the art emergency room facility to be located on the first floor of Kenyon House, which also contains the DaVita Dialysis center. Mr. Beder noted that since the hospital property was put on the market in 2007 no buyers have stepped forward, although some inquiries were made. A $17.5 million mortgage would have to paid off regardless of what comes next. JFK estimates that developing the apartment units would bring in $100 million in new investment and provide the City of Plainfield with about $2.5 million in tax revenues annually. The figures are approximate.
ReplyDeleteI am no expert on healthcare, but I think a combined speciality hospital and research facility, financed by partners in the healthcare/pharmaceutical/medical device/academic/corporate world might produce a viable formula. One area of concentration might be kidney disease and related which impacts African-American and Latino populations disproportionately. Another area revolves around gerontology and geriatrics.
Luckily for us JFK has no immediate plans to shutter the ER, which buys some time. Whatever direction is taken, we shouldn't deceive ourselves that Muhlenberg will once again be General Hospital.
Bernice: I, too, attended the meeting. Alan's account is correct. However, it is very clear that if JFK doesn't get needed city approvals for the apartments, there will be no ER. The dialysis center is a rental, and clearly they need the nursing school building they sucked out of some local folks. There was no mention of the strip mall on Park Avenue. Mr. Beder did emphasize the trend towards shorter hospital stays, which is true. However, as soon as it closed the 300+ beds in Plainfield, JFK sought state approval to put a similar number in Edison. Mr. Beder said they have no current plans to build those. Be very clear: it's 614 rental units and an ER, or nuttin'.
ReplyDeleteSounds like JFK is holding the people of Plainfield for ransom. So, if the people do not agree to the 614 rental units, JFK gets no income from the property, and still has to pay taxes. How long do you think they will do that?
DeleteOr, Plainfield can do what it usually does, and take any garbage thrown their way and be grateful. So, if we don't have an ER, people will go to JFK. It isn't as though we are getting great service. The EMTs are overworked and you have to wait an excruciatingly long time to have them come. So, let JFK pay for their mistakes, and let them know that Plainfielders will not take the garbage thrown to them.
I don't think you are suggesting, Pat, that we take deal and feel grateful. This is JFKs issue, not ours, and Plainfield should keep it JFKs issue.
Maybe they will then do something decent, and sell at a reasonable and market price.
If JFK would convert part of Kenyon House to an ER facility, that would probably keep the property off the tax roles. One more con by JFK.
ReplyDeleteDoc, part of JFK's proposal is to convert the entire first floor of Kenyon House into an ER facility. That's been their position from the beginning. And although their spokespersons say JFK has "no intention" of shutting the ER, Pat is right--they're holding Plainfield hostage.
DeleteSo, after 2 years, when the apartments are still empty - do we turn them into Section 8?
ReplyDeletethey will be section 8 from the beginning
DeleteI am looking for a new place to live, I have a decent job and work everyday but I would not be able to pay for one bedroom 1,500 - 1,600 a month for an apt, I know everybody want to gouge every cent they can but geez give us poor working people a break.
ReplyDeleteThe city is INSANE even thinking about apartments!
ReplyDeleteAdding MORE RENTERS to this city? What about the traffic? What about more demands on schools?
More apartments does not equal jobs. The city is still impacted by the loss of 1000 jobs from Muhlenberg's closure.
This campus needs to stay a medical complex. It doesn't have to be a hospital -- it could be a research facility, specialty hospital, senior assisted living.
Jobs would bring people back to buy or rent the 1000+ houses that are on the market now in the city.
5 years no hospital = 5 years we should have been collecting real estate taxes.
ReplyDeleteWhy are we not collecting taxes? Shouldn't JFK be paying taxes on the land? If I don't live in my home, but still own it, I have to pay taxes.
ReplyDeleteIs this Plainfield government not following up and collecting the taxes, or is there some sort of deal that JFK does not have to pay taxes.
Folks, I hear your frustration on this whole situation, but at what point do we all come to the realization that, after five years and NO takers for the property, and NO investors for research, specialty, senior living, etc., "that dog won't hunt anymore." There will be NO MORE HOSPITAL IN PLAINFIELD, PERIOD.
ReplyDeleteWith that realization, what will take it's place? Whatever it is, it must be ratable. You say JFK is holding Plainfield hostage, I don't think so. JFK is making business decisions while Plainfielders are making emotional decisions about the property.
Like Anon 9:29 said, "if [he] don't live in his home, but still own it, [he] have to pay taxes. JFK has no hospital there but still has to pay $2.5 million per year in maintenance. How long would you continue to do that? So they present a project that some people don't like. If anyone has a better one, let's have at it. But it will either be a ratable project of some sort or a vacant 17 acre lot. That's business. Why keep paying $2.5 Mil for an empty building?
You may take issue with me, and that's OK, but when you do, put something ratable on the table please. Enough with the hospital talk.
The price of the property is not realistic, which of course will not bring in buyers. If they put the hospital price within market pricing, see what happens.
DeleteSiddeeq, one reason JFK is paying so much for "an empty building" is because the heating/cooling system is all tied together with Kenyon House, the Nursing School, and all the rest. I have been suggesting for years that if JFK invested some of that money in separating the heating/cooling system from the rest of the buildings it would be a lot less expensive. And in addition, part of the hospital building is still in use--among other things, a group of doctors was holding weekly clinics there (but I don't know if they're still doing it) and I think some of the space is being used for offices and/or storage.
DeleteSiddeeq --
ReplyDeleteJFK stole all the profitable businesses from Muhelenberg, took them to Edison. They have taken the non-profit monies that PLAINFIELDERS contributed to over the decades.
They made out very well as non-profit corporate raiders.
I'm not weeping tears for them -- neither should anyone in this town. The mayor and council need to have a backbone and make demands of JFK. Not wring their hands, crying "what should we do."
Plainfield lost 1000 jobs, if no one wants to do anything with the space for commercial purposes, the best community use would be a park or a rateable business - NOT APARTMENTS!!!
Sell it to the highest bidder.
ReplyDeleteIt has been 5 unfortunate years since Muhlenberg Hospital has closed. Having been born in that hospital and having love ones treated there over the years, I have a personal link to the facility as well being a lifelong resident of Plainfield. Our citizens continue to keep the hope alive for it to be replaced. However, this is happening all over the country. Hospitals are closing due to the bottom line not being favorable. As it stands no takers have been identified to buy the property. However, it does not mean there cannot be a medical facility in Plainfield. The trend in health care is moving towards consolidation and protecting costs. The team behind JFK has chosen to invest their time and money in their Edison facility and not in Plainfield. This is a hard reality to accept, yet not a challenge we cannot overcome. We can look at this situation in a few ways - the old way - take what they wish to give Plainfield, not what will benefit us. We accepted this is your only choice many times in the past. It has not ended well for Plainfield when we have. Or we can do things differently this time. We can encourage JFK and their supporters to offer a deal to benefit Plainfield by taking a business approach and call in the monies owned. If there are taxes due, collect them. It's good business. They are looking out for their interest, our city leadership must do the same for Plainfield. We must Put Plainfield First. We must be in a better negotiating position. When dollars are involved all parties listen. Our leadership also should look at alternatives to marketing the property. A 600 plus apartment complex is a bad idea for so many reasons. Density, traffic, strain on the existing infrastructure and the negative impact to existing single family homes values are just a few. It is a quick dumping of the property that will only benefit the JFK team, not Plainfield. The amount it would bring in taxes will not offset the negative impact to the area. A better use of the property is a hotel conference center catering to small to mid size businesses. We should approach the hospitality industry interested in expanding. The medical facility should be shopped as a medical complex, research and nursing school, with a family care component offering walk in medical services similar to a Medemerge type business on a larger scale with a 24 hour service. Partnering with an existing hospital like Somerset Medical Center which recently entered into an agreement with another regional hospital or Overlook Hospital is an option. An established hospital might consider an emergency care presence in this area as an attractive addition to their business model with the incentive of competition with JFK for the many residents in the area requiring their services. Competition lower costs. The Hotel Conference Center would be located across from top notch athletic facilities for Football, Track, Baseball and Tennis opening up many opportunities to host events. Let us not forget the Barclays Golf Tournament of a few years ago where every town around benefited, sans Plainfield. A hotel would have been booked solid. Also, having a modern conference center is necessary if we are to bring prospective investors in town to show Plainfield business opportunities. It also would mean jobs, a place for social events such as weddings and social events that are often held out of town taking Plainfield dollars outside the city. It would costs a lot less to reconfigure a hospital to a hotel than build 600 plus apartments. We must think differently in Plainfield to move forward. So let's keep the conversation open on Muhlenberg and not take what may seem to some as our only choice. Plainfield we have choices if we choose to make the right ones.
ReplyDeleteD. Scott Belin, Candidate for Mayor.
Mr. Belin, if you are really serious, put together an investment team and have them commit in writing to do the project you're proposing. If you don't do that we will all know your project is just campaign BS.
DeleteAnon 10:49, what I am suggesting is not campaign BS, it is a different way at looking at a challenge. As Mayor I will seek these types of projects for our city to move it forward. We do not have to accept the only offer on the table, we can propose solutions to our own destiny in Plainfield. I am sorry you can't see beyond the fact that I was honest enough to sign my name and yes I am a Candidate for the office of Mayor. Maybe you will do the same in the future and be brave enough to sign your name to your statements in the future. D. Scott Belin
DeleteScott... trust me, as much I as endorse and believe in thinking out of the box... YOU HAVE to know that a hotel / conference center is not even possible ( unless you personally know a multimillionaire interested in throwing good money after bad ).. Plainfield can't even get a "real" grocery store or any other type of national chain / business to set up shop here.
DeleteThe negatives far outweigh the positives with Plainfield's demographics.
Keep thinking out of the box - YES, Please.. it's what Plainfield needs to overcome the dead wood that the Local and State Democrats have heaped upon Plainfield over the last few decades with their tireless paternal love for this city.
I commend your run for the office of Mayor here in Plainfield. Fresh ideas are needed as well as fresh OTHER PARTY involvement in the city. A few more decades of the Democrats expertise and we might as well rename Plainfield - North Camden.