HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT hospital news release v4_201411101508094217DRAFT 4
Hospital Board Reconsiders Using Existing Site for New Facility;
Will Seek Portion of Contiguous Town-Owned Land on Prospect Street to
Provide Additional Space Needed
In response to the feedback received from the public and the Board of Selectmen, the Board of
Directors of Nantucket Cottage Hospital voted unanimously on Friday, November 1, to
reconsider using its existing site at 57 Prospect Street for a new facility.
Further, it will actively pursue the use of a portion of contiguous town-owned property located
at 47 Prospect Street to provide the additional space needed for a new hospital. If approved, the
use of this land would allow the hospital to incorporate the additional land required into its
existing site at 57 Prospect Street for one continuously connected site.
The Town-owned property at 47 Prospect Street, under consideration by the hospital, is a
portion of approximately 21 acres of existing town-owned land in this area. The proposal
would call for the Town to retain two-thirds of this open public land, including the popular
sledding area, “Dead Horse Valley,” which will all remain as is.
As part of this re-development, the hospital has pledged to work closely with town officials
to help implement the long-planned improvements at nearby Four Corners, committing the
necessary land and structures for upgrades to this vital intersection. Plans also call for
consideration of renovating some of the existing hospital facilities for ancillary medical
uses.
For more than a year, the hospital has explored the possibility of locating a new facility in
the area of Wyer’s Valley, a process that has raised many thoughtful questions and
concerns. The Board of Selectmen has held two public forums to discuss the proposal.
“ From the start of this process, the hospital has said that it will work closely with town
officials and the community in finding a new hospital site,” said Nantucket Cottage Hospital
President Dr. Margot Hartman. “We have listened carefully; we have done our homework on
all issues raised to date. We are grateful to the Board of Selectmen for its vision in this
process, and for supporting construction of a new facility that is desperately needed. We will
now actively pursue consideration of the Prospect Street alternative with all due diligence."
Rick Atherton, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said, “A new hospital is critical in
serving the needs of Nantucketers. The board feels strongly that combining a portion of
town-owned land at 47 Prospect Street with existing hospital land is clearly a viable option
to meet the island’s long-term medical needs. Based on the public input we’ve received to
date, we think that many citizens agree. We look forward to a continuing dialogue with the
public to further consider the details of this alternative.”
As part of the process, the Selectmen, Planning Board, hospital and other Town boards and
committees would have to review, and, as appropriate, sponsor warrant articles for the
Annual Town Meeting in April 2015 that would allow for the necessary approvals for the
portions of the proposed development on the town-owned land.
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