N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2019
For Saratoga Hospital, Morgan Street Lot Is Ideal Expansion Site
Last undeveloped land adjacent to hospital property
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, May 31, 2019—As Saratoga Hospital eyes a much-needed expansion, one site stands out as the obvious choice for a medical office center—the last piece of undeveloped land adjacent to hospital property.
Proximity is a key criterion. The project would bring members of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group to a common location on Morgan Street, where they could more easily collaborate on patient care. Equally important, in an emergency, physicians could get to the hospital within minutes to consult or provide other critical services.
“We are the only hospital in a county that consistently ranks among the fastest growing in New York state, and we need more room to serve our community,” said Angelo Calbone, Saratoga Hospital President and CEO. “It would be poor planning if the hospital failed to secure the only remaining property within walking distance of our main campus.”
A small group of residents in the mixed-use neighborhood surrounding the hospital opposes the medical office center proposal. These neighbors consistently point to other alternatives. Yet, none is as fiscally or medically responsible a choice as the Morgan Street lot.
“We did not make this decision lightly. We did our due diligence and, over a period of several years, considered all options,” Calbone said. “By every measure, one parcel—the lot on Morgan Street, which abuts property we already own—stands out as the smart choice. It has become increasingly clear that if we do not take advantage of this opportunity, years from now both the hospital and our community will regret that decision.”
Here are four alternatives suggested by the neighbors—and the reasons these options are not feasible:
- Build the medical office center and a parking garage on hospital-owned land on Myrtle Street. The need for a parking garage would add $10 million to $15 million to the projected costs for developing the medical office center. That is money that would be far better spent on patient care, staffing, technology and other potentially lifesaving programs and services.
The projected cost of this parking structure accounts for current staff and visitor parking that would be displaced by the building, plus the parking required for the staff and patients of the new medical offices, for a total of up to 800 cars. In addition, during construction of a parking garage, staff and visitors would be forced to find alternative parking close to the hospital – every day, 24 hours a day.
- “Build up, not out” by adding floors to the hospital. Space on the hospital campus is limited and must be reserved for inpatient care and other services that can best be provided in a hospital setting.
- Build on top of hospital-owned offices at 59D Myrtle Street. This property is subject to height restrictions because it is near the hospital helipad and under the designated flight path of the emergency LifeNet helicopter. Therefore, by design, this building is limited to its current height.
- Build on top of other existing single-story physician offices on Myrtle Street. The hospital does not own these buildings. This is not an option.
Currently, city leaders are considering 18 changes to the Saratoga Springs zoning map to align it with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, as required by state law. One change would rezone the Morgan Street parcel adjacent to hospital land and designate the parcel as “institutional.” That would clear the way for future development as a medical office center.
“The Comprehensive Plan Committee and previous Planning Board and City Council have supported this change and recognized its positive impact on healthcare in the Saratoga region,” Calbone said. “Individuals and organizations throughout the region have also expressed their support. We are counting on city officials to do the same so we can put this property to the best possible use for our community—now and in the years to come.”
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About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region’s leading healthcare provider and the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County. The hospital’s multispecialty practice, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, provides care at more than 20 locations, ensuring easy access to programs and services that can have the greatest impact on individual and community health. Saratoga Hospital has maintained Magnet designation for nursing excellence since 2004. Through its affiliation with Columbia Memorial Health and Albany Med, Saratoga Hospital is part of the largest locally governed health system in the region. For more information: www.saratogahospital.org or www.facebook.com/SaratogaHospital
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
518.583.8679 phopper@saratogahospital.org