2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

lie adjacent to existing services and infrastructure. New additions, if not placed in a logical configuration will disturb service delivery patterns. It is the goal of the hospital's master plan to improve, not disrupt health services. The following represents narrative summary of the other alternatives evaluated. Community College Property Functional obsolescence. The Community College property is not adjacent to the hospital's current facility-, it's actually to the northeast a block: Since economically feasible expansion requires that the hospital build contiguous facilities, the hospital -would first need to expand north across 13`h Street onto the Wetmore property. First, this would require that the hospital adjoin to its existing building at precisely the location where critical services are currently located—the ambulance entrance to the Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit rooms and the service dock making them obsolete as they now stand. These services would need to be relocated, which would require major renovation and structural changes and estimated millions in increased cost. Second, this would require developing the Wetmore site for Inpatient Services vs. the proposed Phase One Cancer Center and Medical Office Building. This issue alone represents unacceptable alternative based upon several market factors such as demonstrated community need and physician partner interest for the Cancer Center and Medical Office Building project to be Phase One of its master plan. Greenfield approach. Expanding on the College property would basically represent a "Greenfield" approach; one in which the hospital would be required to start from scratch. If Providence Everett must adopt a Greenfield approach, the hospital have identified better site alternatives that would be quicker, easier and less costly than building on the College property. Property Acquisition. Providence doesn't own this property—the State of Washington does. Even if the hospital were to pursue this option, there is no guarantee it could eventually purchase the property. At best, it would take a m-immum of two or npre years to conclude such a purchase. This would significantly delay the hospital's ability to serve its growing population. Delay. Since it would take a minimum of two years to purchase the property, it would delay the start of any expansion for two to three years beyond when the hospital could begin if it went forward with its plans to expand east. This would exacerbate an already precarious situation, as the hospital is already often at or near full capacity. The longer the hospital waits to expand, the more difficult it will be to meet the community's healthcare needs. Cost. Expanding onto the Community College property would significantly increase the cost in a number of areas. First, Providence would incur incremental cost to purchase the property. Second, it would require reconfiguration of existing Project Narrative Providence Everett Medica! Center PAGE 2 41