{"id":247303,"date":"2025-10-24T00:13:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T00:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/247303\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T00:13:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T00:13:09","slug":"jersey-city-hospital-could-be-replaced-by-apartments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/247303\/","title":{"rendered":"Jersey City hospital could be replaced by apartments"},"content":{"rendered":"

The owners of Heights University Hospital<\/a> are requesting approval from Jersey City officials to build a new hospital adjacent to the current one and pair it with residential development. <\/p>\n

Otherwise, Hudson Regional Health \u201cmust proceed forward with alternative proposals for the land,\u201d wrote Hudson Regional Health Chief Executive Officer and President Dr. Nizar Kifaieh in an Oct. 13 letter to the Division of City Planning. <\/p>\n

One of the alternative uses for the site involves building a pair of 10-story residential buildings with more than 2,200 total units. The concept plan was created by MHS Architecture<\/a>, a firm based in Hoboken. It\u2019s preliminary and has not been formally submitted to the city as of Thursday. <\/p>\n

Simultaneously, Heights University Hospital has begun downsizing and winding down services. On Oct. 14, the hospital submitted a Certificate of Need application to the New Jersey Department of Health requesting a staged hospital closure, according to a letter from the state health department. <\/p>\n

The two-phased plan submitted with the application calls for the hospital to close by Nov. 10, according to the letter which was shared with NJ Advance Media. <\/p>\n

Despite the redevelopment plan and the application for closure, Hudson Regional spokeswoman Lisa Herrmann said nothing is final yet.<\/p>\n

The company \u201ccontinues to work with local and state leaders to determine a long-term path for sustainability, preserve healthcare services in the Heights, and ensure the hospital\u2019s continued role in serving the community,\u201d Herrmann said Thursday in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe concept plan is an option for the hospital,\u201d Herrmann said. <\/p>\n

Closing is an option, too, if the hospital doesn\u2019t receive $25 million of additional funding from the state, which the owners say it needs to stay open. <\/p>\n

\u201cShould the funding referenced above materialize, it will provide much-needed short-term funding for Heights University Hospital,\u201d Kifaieh wrote to the Division of City Planning. <\/p>\n

However, a long-term solution such as redevelopment is still needed, said Kifaieh.<\/p>\n

\"RedevelopmentThis concept plan is one of the alternative proposals for the site of Heights University Hospital in Jersey City. Rendering by MHS Architecture<\/p>\n

James E. Solomon, a Jersey City councilman and mayoral candidate, accused Hudson Regional of negotiating in bad faith during a press conference Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, if you\u2019re attempting to threaten the people of Jersey City with the demolition of their health care and hospital in the Heights, that\u2019s not good faith,\u201d said Solomon in a video posted on his Instagram<\/a> account. <\/p>\n

Solomon said Hudson Regional\u2019s aim was to demolish the hospital for luxury development. <\/p>\n

Hudson Regional defended its actions in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, calling Solomon\u2019s comments \u201cclearly misleading and an attempt to grab campaign headlines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking shots at us for headlines in campaign season doesn\u2019t help one patient. After collaborating with the community and determining the extent of resources made available to Heights University Hospital, we would anticipate including a viable healthcare facility as part of the final plan,\u201d the company said. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Heights University Hospital has begun implementing a stabilization plan that involves winding down some non-essential services. <\/p>\n

It will continue to run the emergency room, critical care and medical-surgical services, an adequate number of operating rooms, behavioral health, and other services. <\/p>\n

Hospital officials said they expect a majority of employees affected by the restructuring to be offered continued employment within the Hudson Regional hospital system. The company is also planning to host job fairs for affected employees. <\/p>\n

Hudson Regional took over Heights University Hospital<\/a>, formerly Christ Hospital, and two others from CarePoint Health System in April in federal bankruptcy court. The company now runs four hospitals<\/a>, including Bayonne University Hospital, Hoboken University Hospital and Secaucus University Hospital.<\/p>\n

The company said it has been trying hard to keep the hospital open and has pumped $300 million into operations, with a major portion dedicated to Heights University Hospital.<\/p>\n

Despite that investment, Kifaieh said Wednesday in a statement that persistent financial challenges \u201cdriven by a combination of low reimbursement rates, cuts to Charity Care, and a high rate of uninsured patients\u2014have made continued operations in the current model unsustainable.”<\/p>\n

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n