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Just their Facts
TOPIC FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019:
Is the new regional medical center in downtown Utica really going to happen?
Yes! A great deal of work has occurred since MVHS first announced in November 2014, its intent to build a regional medical center. We are on the path to moving into the downtown medical center on February 23, 2023. Here are the key initiatives that brought us to this point:
- After an extensive review, the downtown Utica location was selected as the site for the new regional medical center in September 2016. A single, state-of-the-art medical center in downtown Utica will redefine the way healthcare is delivered in Central New York and serve as a platform for growth and innovation.
- Governor Cuomo and the Legislature approved $300 million in State funding, as a Health Care Facility Transformation grant, to build the new medical center. Some of that funding is already being spent on the building design and the environmental impact review.
- Partnerships were established with the City, County, Governor’s office, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Mohawk Valley EDGE, The Genesis Group and architectural and construction firms. In collaboration with these partners, MVHS held more than 175 user group meetings and more than 100 community meetings to develop the design of the new medical center.
- The required Certificate of Need (CON) application was submitted to and approved by the NYS Department of Health. One of the major milestones attained last week was the City of Utica Planning Board issuing its Findings Statement on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS defines the steps to be taken to minimize the impact of the construction of the hospital as well as the impact of the hospital itself on the environment in this location. It includes topic areas such as surface and group water, land, air, traffic, etc. The issuance of the Findings Statement by the Planning Board concluded the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA, process and was a critical step toward constructing the regional medical center.
Next steps include:
- MVHS acquiring the land from current owners to build the medical center. Closings on properties are expected to begin as early as the end of April.
- Ongoing regulatory and City reviews of the medical center site plan.
- The elimination or abatement of hazardous materials such as asbestos in existing buildings once they are vacated. Once the buildings are abated, demolition can begin.
- Construction is expected to begin in late 2019.
This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the communities served by MVHS to transform healthcare in this region.
The new MVHS medical center will play a significant role in revitalizing the City.
You can help, please join us on Facebook #NoHospitalDowntown. Also consider adding your voice to Hundreds of People Saying, "No Hospital Downtown". Get to know BUD, that's the future of the Columbia Lafayette Neighborhood!
Meets At:
▪ Tramontane Cafe Wednesdays 10-11:00AM
▪ Citation Services Fridays 4:30-5:30PM
Contact us for more information
