Muhlenberg Study Results Draw Large Crowd

Proposed zoning for the Muhlenberg site (click images to enlarge)

Nearly 300 residents came out Thursday to hear preliminary results of a city-funded zoning study on the site of the former Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and many remained adamant that there should be no residential uses at the site.

The hospital closed six years ago and in 2012 a real estate expert said the best use for the site would be construction of 600 luxury apartments. At three community meetings conducted earlier this year by the Red Bank firm Heyer, Gruel & Associates, most residents said only a medical use would do. On Thursday, the firm recommended "Health Care" zoning for the largest parcel on Randolph Road, with medical and educational zones flanking Park Avenue.

The recommendation was partly based on findings of the Greater Union County Community Index that Plainfield was a "community of concern" for health issues, including the highest birth rate in the county in 2008, but the lowest rate of prenatal care. In subsequent years, the city also had second-highest rates countywide for substance abuse admissions, HIV-AIDS cases and child maltreatment.

Regarding hospital closings, the study found that Muhlenberg was one of 26 in New Jersey that closed between 1992 and 2008. While 90 percent retained some form of health care after closing, a third reopened or remained hospital facilities. Only 10 percent were redeveloped with residential units after closing.

The study's vision for the campus now features "restoring a productive asset to the City with healthcare and complementary uses on the site."

Conceptual Plan

More than 20 residents commented on the study. Some objected to having housing of any kind on the site, including 100 units of veterans' housing and 36 apartments indicated on a conceptual plan.

"We said we didn't want housing, so you gave us a different kind of housing," resident Robin Bright said.

"No residential uses of any kind?" Fred Heyer asked.

The crowd shouted "Yes!" and applauded.

Former nurse Vivia Henry said a rehabilitation facility is needed in Plainfield and would create jobs.

"Put people back to work in Plainfield," she said.

After the audience nearly doubled with late arrivals, resident Douglas Woodson said he thought the mayor did a good job of getting the message out, but he said, "I think the presentation was done poorly."

He said people couldn't see the images on a screen and even though Heyer and Gruel promised the information would be on the city web site, Woodson said not everyone could access the web site. He said printed copies should have been made available.

"It is your obligation to make sure everyone in Plainfield gets good and correct information," Woodson said.

UPDATE: See the presentation on the city web site

Resident Dottie Gutenkauf reminded the attendees that there will be a commemoration of the hospital's closing at 3 p.m. Saturday at Park Avenue and Randolph Road. When she told the audience she was thrilled to know she wasn't the only one opposing 600 apartments, people applauded.

"You've been listening to us," she told Heyer and Gruel.

The presentation will be televised on local channels 96 and 34 and Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said copies will be available at City Hall.

One woman said she was getting ready for work when she received a 7 a.m. phone message about the meeting. She called it "an excellent way to get the word out." The meeting began with about 150 people filling half the Plainfield High School cafeteria, but as the crowd grew, workers opened a partition and set up more seating.

 Mapp said he refused to give the study to JFK Health officials, the press or individuals who asked for it ahead of time.

"I wanted an open forum so the information wasn't compromised," he said.

As for the 7 a.m. robocall, Mapp said, "I take full responsibility. It was deliberate. It was effective."

Initially set for Wednesday night, the widely publicized meeting was rescheduled due to a conflict with a county-sponsored concert. Use of the city's new means of mass communication apparently overcame the glitch.

The meeting was last of four for community input. Mapp said the final report will be released before the end of the month.

--Bernice