As we’ve discussed in class on a few different occasions, the local healthcare system Mohawk Valley Health Systems is moving forward with a plan to build a hospital in downtown Utica. Before getting into the specifics of place I think it’s important to acknowledge the need for a new hospital in Utica. As someone who is involved in the local emergency care system and has spent time in both Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center and Faxton Saint Luke’s Healthcare, it is clear that the current hospital system is outdated. The two hospitals have split up many of their services to provide coverage for patients, but this leaves patients wondering which hospital they should go to depending on the medical emergency. This is a critical fault within Utica’s emergency care system as in delayed time in emergency situations thinking about hospital locations can be costly. Additionally, both of the hospitals are in dire need of renovations. Saint Luke’s has attachments upon attachments that make navigating the building nearly impossible. Saint Elizabeth’s was built over 150 years ago. Therefore, although both hospitals can provide the essential medical services, a new combined location that localizes patient care, has modern facilities, and is accessible to patients is necessary.
As in most debates there are two sides to the downtown hospital: the group #nohospitaldowntown and MVHS. The #nohospitaldowntown group recognizes the need for a new hospital in Utica, but advocates that the location should not be in downtown Utica. They describe the historic buildings in the area, various businesses, local homeowners, as well as the corruption of MVHS as reasons to not build in downtown Utica. The usage of eminent domain to remove many of remaining owners of properties in the hospital’s footprint has sparked a legal battle between the two groups.
While #nohospitaldowntown originally protested the hospital because of the destruction of the historic Columbia Lafayette Neighborhood and the affected buildings, the group now takes on a stance of corruption and anti-establishment. A quick look at their website and twitter feed shows their clear opposition to those involved in MVHS, local politicians, and state officials. They highlight an email scandal, the push through of a state mandated environmental process, and the lack of public input as rationale to reevaluate the process to build a hospital in downtown.
In contrast, MVHS is advocating for all that will come with a new hospital downtown and ignoring the claims of the #nohospitaldowntown group. They make no mention of the affected historical buildings and the various people and businesses affected by the building. What they highlight are the improvements that a new 373-bed hospital building will bring. They focus on the importance of centralizing the hospital system, new departments within the hospital, accessible campus as reasons to build the hospital. MVHS advocates that the community will be able to walk through the hospital campus and use the parking garage as parking for local events like the Utica Comets games. Additionally, they highlight the potential for reinvigorating local businesses in downtown because of the influx of people that visit patients and the professionals working in the hospital.
There is a clear dispute of the purpose and usages of place in the downtown hospital debate. The preservation of place is at the center of this debate, whether the old and historic of Utica should prevail or the new and modern. Similar to the recent reading by Sharon Zukin regarding the authenticity of place, the new hospital would be a large change in the character of the area and rid the area of its “origins”. Yet the hospital would also provide necessary improvements in the local healthcare system. While both sides offer valid arguments, it appears that the legal and financial capabilities of MVHS and the state will push through the development of a hospital in downtown Utica.
Sources:
http://www.nohospitaldowntown.com/
https://mvhealthsystem.org/downtown-hospital
https://www.uticaod.com/news/20190529/health-system-unveils-model-with-downtown-utica-hospital
https://www.wrvo.org/post/downtown-utica-hospital-project-faces-lawsuit
