2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

Providence Everett Medical Center Narrative Statement Regarding Decision Making for Hospital Expansion and Master Plan Development History of Development Intent The, record of City Council, Planning Commission, administrative and other decisions since 1980 clearly. show a desire, if not instruction to the hospital that it should plan any expansions to the east. Colby Avenue is a "bright line" to the west. There is a significant history and a significant record of decisions indicating that any hospital expansion should not cross that arterial. The block north of 13f Street was singled out for protection when the Cancer Center block was designated in -the late 1980s as the record will show. Similarly residents of the block to the south are under the clear impression that past decisions by the City established theirs as a residential area. Based on this history, Providence .has purchased 21 homes on Block 248 since the early 1980s and has been clear since that time that this one block represents perhaps the only viable expansion site for its inpatient facilities. In 1998, in testimony before the City's Historical Cominission, the hospital indicated its intent to direct any future expansion eastward. It asked that Block 248 be excluded from the proposed Donovan Historical District. Although the Historical Commission voted to include the hospital -owned block within the proposed historical district boundaries, the Commission gave tacit recognition to the hospital's plans by indicating that absent a master plan, the Commission would include the area, but that there was "latitude" for the hospital to expand in the future. (Commission Minutes, September 30, 1998). Providence Everett Medical Center recognizes the value of the historic preservation. We also believe that there is great value in the provision of health care for our community. It is our intention to provide services and facilities that are state of the art and what every citizen in Snohomish County deserves. Expansion Alternatives Recently, after a thorough analysis of Providence Everett Medical Center's current footprint and services, it was confirmed the only affordable and efficient option for expansion of the Colby Campus is first to the north with the development of a cancer center and parking. Expansion will them proceed to the east where surface and structured parking and ultimately, a replacement hospital will be necessary within the next 10-15 years. This critical expansion will prepare Providence to provide comprehensive health care services to the community for the next 100 years. In an effort to cooperate with neighbors and the City, the medical center looked at various suggestions on how to grow, but it has only reaffirmed that the proposed plans are well founded and necessary. Future expansion must occur in such a manner that new phases Project Narrative Providence Everett Medical Center PAGE I