Excite property considered for hospital

The board wants to move the process forward as quickly as possible to meet state seismic requirements and take advantage of the slumping real estate market.

The current hospital at 170 Alameda de las Pulgas was built in 1950. At the same time the Sequoia Healthcare district was formed to oversee the hospital and control parcel tax money. In 1996, the district sold the building and the land to Sequoia Health Services, a company managed by Catholic Healthcare West. In return the district received $20 million and five positions on the hospital's governing board.

The money accrued to $50 million, making it possible for the district to build the hospital without floating a general obligation bond that would raise taxes.

Faced with the approaching 2012 state deadline to retrofit or rebuild the hospital the board decided to pursue rebuilding the hospital. To rebuild the hospital in its current location would be too cumbersome, said board member Art Fero.

"Have you seen this hospital? It's like the Winchester Mystery House," said Fero.

However, there are some residents who want to see the hospital stay. Board member Jack Hickey is also against the plan.

Residents have the right to decide whether or not the hospital stays in its current location, Hickey said. He recently filed a petition signed by hospital neighbors to prevent the district from making the sole decision to move the hospital. The county election office ruled the petition invalid because it didn't have enough signatures.

Hickey plans to appeal the decisions, but his determination to stop the move isn't slowing the rest of the board. The board will likely have an emergency meeting this month to discuss the cost and criteria for holding an election and discuss property negotiations.

The district also looked at property at the current Century Theater off of Whipple Avenue, Peninsula Marina on Bair Island Road and the Kmart property on Veterans Boulevard. Kmart decided not to close the Redwood City store and property owners at the theater site only want to lease. The district is still keeping options open with Peninsula Marina about its 15-acre site.

"We do not want to be in the position to only have one pony to ride," said Frank Gibson, district CEO.

The district will be making presentations this month at council meetings in Redwood City, Belmont, Atherton and San Carlos.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. <