Public outreach is named as "Task 1" in the scope of services proposed by Heyer Gruel & Associates. A kickoff meeting with city planning staff will have three goals, according to documents in the packet for Monday's meeting: "to refine and confirm the work program and schedule; to define the community participation including preliminary identification of stakeholders; and to preliminarily identify key issues as the city and community sees them."
The early work will also include "a tour of the site and surrounding area with city officials and key project personnel to get a sense of the issues in the field."
To many in the quiet residential blocks around the shuttered Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, the main issue is rejection of the 600-unit apartment complex proposed by JFK Health Systems, owner of the property. JFK began promoting its plan last year and recently asked the City Council to agree to zoning changes that would permit the project. Last month, Rev. Gerald Lamont Thomas of Shiloh Baptist Church told the council he and others have been working for the last 14 months with JFK Health Systems "to keep a hospital presence as well as developing the land."
But not even possible loss of remaining medical services on the site has overcome the objections of residents who see the development as too much for the neighborhood.
The full document detailing the proposed scope of services for the study is available in the City Clerk's office and also in the council packet for Oct. 7 at the Plainfield Public Library's reference desk.
JFK Health Systems has made its rationale for development clear in this section of the Muhlenberg Moving Forward web site more than a year ago. Thomas conveyed a sense of urgency last month in his remarks, warning that JFK would leave if its proposal was not accepted. The proposed city-backed study may prolong the decision-making progress, but residents who have their back up over pressure from JFK are calling for a large turnout Monday in support of the study.
The meeting is 7:30 p.m.
--Bernice
Did you notice who is the lead planner for the study? What about Heyer Gruel support for that planner? Did they identify how much staff time and who would be dedicated to the study? If you know. If not, I can go to the Library tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI only copied the scope of services. Your best bet is to look at the packet regarding your questions.
DeleteHow about building a state of the art full service medical facility. A facility that offers ambulatory care, including diagnostic radiology, health education programs, hospital pre-admission, a blood draw station, nuclear medicine, a nutrition center, possible, a one-day surgery center, cancer services including radiation oncology, and an emergency room that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The site could also include a cluster of condominiums for assistant living. The demographics in the surrounding area will support the successful sale/rental of such condominiums. In my opinion this would be a perfect use for this property. Now I understand this may not be as profitable to JFK as cutting a deal to build a 600 unit apartment building, however, it does appear to be the best use for this property.
ReplyDeleteHere’s some food for thought, as a realtor whenever a customer sells a property they don’t usually care what happens to it after the sale. I find it so interesting that JFK claims to not have had any other interested parties for the purchase of this property, but has taken such a die-hard stand on selling it to a developer who wants to build 600 units. This plan of theirs is all about the money and has nothing to do with what’s best for Plainfield. A lot of pockets will be lined with this deal if successful.
JFK and others, NO MEANS NO. YOU DON’T OWN OR CONTROL PLAINFIELD AND IT’S STAKEHOLDERS.
Robin Bright
Jersey City abandoned the MASSIVE hospital in the Heights for a smaller ( less than 1/2 the size ) state of the art hospital...
ReplyDeleteI guess Hudson County has a more "powerful" patron saint than Plainfield and Union County .... Big Surprise there.. I guess playing party "lackey" in Hudson County actually matters as opposed to playing the donkey to Union County