Heights University Hospital is hoping to obtain a redevelopment plan to save its operations, but a preliminary proposal has started a war of words. Image courtesy of Hudson Regional Health.
An all-out political war has broken out over a troubled medical center and its possible redevelopment as a local politician and a major property owner have started a war of words.
The battle is being waged over the future of Heights University Hospital at 176 Palisade Avenue. The property, which sits atop the palisades, was taken over by Hudson Regional Health last year.
The company says they have invested nearly $300 million across its network, including major upgrades in technology, new clinical equipment, facility improvements, and expanded service lines. But the facility has nonetheless operated at a $60 million loss so far this year.
A rally was held on October 8 to support the hospital, which could be getting a $25 million appropriation from the state to stabilize care. But in a letter to the city dated October 13, Hudson Regional Health claims that even if the aid comes through, a long-term solution to the funding problem is needed.
“One such long term solution…is to move forward with a redevelopment plan for the Heights that includes the creation of a brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital adjacent to the current facility to be paired with residential development through the city’s adoption of a redevelopment plan,” the letter states.
The sprawling plan attached to the letter calls for 10-story buildings and as many as 2,200 residential units. Image via Hudson Meridian Health’s letter.
Attached to the letter is a sprawling plan, which is preliminary and has not been officially submitted via an application to Jersey City, that could include as many as 2,200 residential units and 1,150 parking spaces. All the buildings would rise 10 stories under the proposal, which was drawn up by MHS Architects and does not include any hospital.
“If a redevelopment plan is not available to secure a long-term solution for Heights University Hospital, we unfortunately must preserve our option to proceed forward with [this] alternative proposal for the land,” the letter writes.
An aerial view of the plan. Image via Hudson Meridian Health’s letter.
Ward E City Councilman and Jersey City Mayoral candidate James Solomon blasted the proposal in a press conference held on October 22, saying he believes that Hudson Regional Health’s actions are about profit, not healthcare.
“Hudson Regional Health has taken control of this hospital not to serve our community, but to profit from building luxury towers and pushing out residents who depend on affordable, accessible healthcare,” Solomon said in a statement. “This crisis was caused by developer greed, and I will fight to protect our hospital and prioritize the needs of Jersey City residents.”
Hudson Regional Health fired back at Solomon in their own statement to Jersey Digs, calling the councilman’s accusations “baseless” and “clearly misleading and an attempt to grab campaign headlines.”
“The notion that HRH’s $300 million investment into the system was a set-up flies in the face of reason and is beneath contempt,” the company said. “We are working tirelessly with our partners in government to secure the necessary funding to properly provide healthcare in the Heights and the surrounding area.”
Hudson Regional Health went on to say that the concept attached to the letter to the city “is a potential component of our long-term plan, and it is irresponsible to consider this a final submission.” The company expects that a final plan will emerge as a result of the initial actions they are taking.
“To our detractors, I would pointedly say, no one has done more to invest in, protect and advance the healthcare of the community than HRH and no one else has come forward with their own plan,” the company added.
NJ.com reported earlier this week the Heights University Hospital received a $2 million cash infusion to help keep the lights on, but the near-term future of the facility remains in limbo.