Saturday, August 16, 2014

Muhlenberg Study Next Steps

The last page of the  Muhlenberg Hospital Study by Heyer, Gruel & Associates details the recommended next steps to implement it. I don't remember seeing it Thursday night, but I was walking around and maybe just missed it. However, for some reason I don't see it on the link tonight on the city's web site, even though it was there earlier. FYI, here are the recommended next steps on page 11:

To support the development and reuse of the Muhlenberg Hospital site, the City of Plainfield should:

- Amend the City’s Master Plan, where necessary, to ensure consistency with this Study.

- Adopt the zoning consistent with the parameters outlined in this Study.

- Consider designation of the Muhlenberg Hospital site an area in need of redevelopment. Designation of the area as an “area in need of redevelopment” or an “area in need of rehabilitation” can provide tools and incentives for the proactive reuse of the site. Access to certain funding programs, prioritizes redevelopment areas. Long term and short term tax abatements are also possible

- Evaluate funding opportunities to incentivize the redevelopment of the site.

- Prepare and conduct an expression of interest RFP/RFQ process to solicit potential redevelopers for the site.

4 comments:

  1. The first step must be a full title search on all Muhlenberg properties.

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  2. Love those "Action Verbs" Amend, Adopt, Evaluate etc. .... Those are the ones the books tell you to put in a Resume to show you should be Hired because you get things done !!

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  3. As the Grandfather said in Moonstruck," I'm confused".
    Who owns the property? Assuming the City of Plainfield rezones the property in some manner, who has the prerogative to develop the property? If Polaris does not chose to develop the property in the manner for which it is subsequently zoned do the existing buildings sit there forever? Stalemate? If Polaris attempts to develop te property in the specified manner and can not find a developer, what happens?
    What is the State's position on the mortgage? If the State were to foreclose do they become the property owner? Is everyone satisfied that the existing structures are not suitable for modification to an alternative use? The alternative use(s) could be the "Health Facilities" recommended. What are the City's options with regard to taxing the vacated premises? Can Polaris simply walk away and leave the property "as is" for the City to dispose of?

    If the 1900 buildings are designated "Historic Landmarks" does the State assume their maintenance?
    Would their continued existence impede site development?

    Is there anyone one who can sort this out?

    Bill Kruse

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