St. Vincent's Committed to $1.6 Billion Development Despite Recession

The Landmarks Preservation Commission met again yesterday to deliberate on St. Vincent's Hospital’s “hardship-status” application, which, if approved, would let the hospital raze the distinctive O’Toole Building in the West Village and build a 299-foot-tall medical building and a 233-foot tall luxury condominium. Unlike previously rowdy sessions that featured protest from local celebrities, there was no public comment this time. Instead, the commission heard from outside experts like Michael Meola at the city’s Economic Development Corporation, who testified that no other sites “would be a viable alternative to the O’Toole Building.” Developer William C. Rudin added, “Now more than ever, the city needs a project like this as an investment in our future.” No decision was made yesterday, but Andrew Berman at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation tells the Times, "A lot of people are questioning whether they will actually stick with this."

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By John Del Signore in News on October 8, 2008 12:39 PM

Comments [rss]

Tgirl

celebrity activists, just the answer to life's complex problems

smokedgouda

The lies that "activists" are telling about this proposal are incredible.

HenryKrinkle

Yawn-tear down the fucking building already and build a better one... On a positive note the celebrities stayed home

DanielJ

Oh no are people going to start saying "now more than ever" again?

ed_Extinct

perhaps st. vincents should invest in actual decent care... since their sucks...

ides_of_march

"...and a 233-foot tall luxury condominium"

Just what the city needs.

Schwartzie

So what does the neighborhood propose as an alternative? Putting all the hospitals in New Jersey and in the outer boroughs? Whenever anyone has a heart attack, they'll be a quick PATH ride from the critical care they need.

It is important to protect landmarks and neighborhood character, but it's also important to have plenty of ready access to modern and technologically sophisticated medical facilities.