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Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center closed in 2008 despite protests from the community. A satellite emergency department remained, but was relocated to the Kenyon House building on the campus when the owner, previously known as Solaris, sought to clear a 10-acre portion of all but the vacant hospital. It is that tract which has been studied for redevelopment for the past several years. In 2013, JFK Health Systems was promoting a controversial plan to build 600 luxury apartments on the site and the city hired a planning firm to study the tract for other possible uses.
Plaintalker reported in March 2016 on the issuance of a "Request for Proposals" for development of the site. Proposals were due by April 27, 2016. The notice stated, "The City's vision is for the Site to have a health-care focus with a variety of healthcare and complimentary uses to serve the local and regional community, that are contextually consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. The developer will purchase the site from JFK Hospital and enter into a Redevelopment Agreement with the City of Plainfield."
The Planning Board had previously agreed in September 2015 that the site was in need of redevelopment and to recommend a "Non-Condemnation" option to the City Council rather than use of eminent domain.
In his address Wednesday, Mapp said, "When I took office, I made a commitment to work hard to bring redevelopment to the now closed Muhlenberg campus.. We promised that any redevelopment would have a major healthcare component. That was my pledge - that was my commitment.
"I reached out to the CEO of JFK Health Systems built a relationship and was able to make it happen. I’m happy to report that an agreement between the potential developer and JFK has been recently signed. We will continue to work in 2017 to ensure that the site is developed into a state of the art facility with a heavy concentration in healthcare.
"We have Kenyon House where JFK renovated the first floor to house a satellite emergency department. They offer out-patient medical services, diagnostic services, and hospital community outreach programs. This new Emergency Room is actively serving the community."
(Please note he deviated somewhat from the prepared text.)
No doubt the public has many questions, such as whether any housing is involved, as there have been strong objections to having it as a component. The type and scope of the health care component will also be of high interest. Since Muhlenberg closed, people in need of hospital care must go to Somerville, Summit, Edison or even Morristown or New Brunswick. "Doctors' Row" on Park Avenue has cleared out and specialists have become affiliated with health systems in the locations mentioned above. The community will be eager to get more information.
--Bernice
Smoke and Mirrors, We need someone who can lead the city forward and not recycling the same trash that they voted on when they closed Muhlenberg
ReplyDeleteJFK did an order to show cause to in January, 2015, to change people's wishes, and used most of that money for the SED. It was not all their money.
ReplyDeletePlainfield needs more luxury housing. This would be an ideal spot for the "walking wallets." New businesses would flock to open, and jobs would be created. Stop with trying to tell private owners what should be done with their property.
ReplyDeleteNot trying to be argumentative, but every time we discuss "luxury" housing in Plainfield, we end up, instead, with "affordable" housing. This isn't a draw for new businesses or job creation. I wish you were right, but past experience (over 20 years in this town) tells me otherwise. Again, no offense meant.
DeleteCheck out the proposed developer and follow the money!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question - who is the potential developer? "...an agreement between the potential developer and JFK has been recently signed." What role did Hackensack Meridian Health play since there was a letter of intent signed between JFK Health and Hackensack Meridian Health in November according to newspaper accounts? All seems pretty convoluted.
DeletePut the property up for auction and let the market decide
ReplyDeleteThe public is entitled to full disclosure regarding the terms and conditions of this three party deal. Who gets paid what from whom? Knowledge of not only the affirmative provisions, but the negative provisions? That is to say, are there restrictions imposed as to what the property can be used for? What are the permitted usages? Is there security, e.g. a Construction Bond, a Performance Bond )to insure compliance and occupancy for the full term ( if there is a term ) of the contract? Can the developer abandon the property if his concept proves unprofitable and leave Plainfield with an even greater disaster? What is the scope of the alteration? What part, if any, of the existing structures will be demolished. What alterations will be made to the remaining portion? What new construction will occur, if any? What is the time frame? Is there a penalty if the Developer dawdles. How many new jobs are anticipated? What if any is the cost to the City, if any, of providing services, e.g. sewer , water, curb cuts, etc. for the new development? Will the Developer pay Municipal taxes or an alternative form of compensation. ? If so, how much, and for how long? Please note this is 10 acres. In this neighborhood the residences occupy about 1/3 acre each, or 3 homes per acre. If the site were developed there could be 30 homes. If we assume that the average property tax were, say, $8,000 per house this would aggregate to $240,000 annually. Certainly consideration should be given to the assumption that the development will provide job opportunities and perhaps use some local services, and that some return is better than allowing the building to lay fallow. It will be interesting to see how these considerations were sorted out. Bill Kruse
ReplyDeleteLast year Mapp said he was going after Solaris for back property taxes on previously exempt Muhlenburg property as allowed by a precedent setting court decision. And let's face it, decision or not, since its closing the hospital campus has been primarily a land speculation for Solaris. Did Mapp mention a settlement of this tax matter among his many accomplishments or update us on his efforts in regard to it? Plainfield could use the money. Edison got over a half million dollars. Richard Loosli
ReplyDeleteAll very good questions. There was a loss of over 1,000 jobs. Plainfield is located in a donut hole, and in order to get to acute medical care and regular medical care many residents have to go through areas that are NOT friendly to the demographics that is culturally diverse Plainfield. For that reason many residents are NOT going for medical care.
ReplyDeletePlainfield is not a dumping ground.
DeleteI can guarantee that you cannot prove this statement and all you're doing is stirring the pot.
ReplyDeleteIt's very difficult to believe that individuals refrain from seeking medical care because they are not welcomed at a nearby hospital, outside of Plainfield.
Go spew your venom somewhere else.
Lalo,
DeleteHere is an article from Wisconsin that explains clearly. This is not venom. It is a long article, but certainly worth the time to read.
http://archive.jsonline.com/news/health/hospitals-doctors-moving-out-of-poor-city-neighborhoods-to-more-affluent-areas-b99284882z1-262899701.html
Go to traffic court in all of the majority white communities that surround Plainfield and you will see predominately People Of Color. My auto mechanic din't believe it until The Star Ledger did an article on the issue. If you personally don't have an issue, don't dismiss it utill you talk to people who may not have your advantages.I have taken the Netherwood train to Newark and from Newark to New Brunswick when I was unable to drive.
ReplyDeleteThe State placed a lot of group homes in Plainfield and then closed the hospital familiar with dealing with those issues. The psychological, addiction and medical issues of these transplanted residents are now associated with being from Plainfield