To minimize stormwaters, St.Luke's has agreed to "bank" its parking. The proposed paving has been approved, but will only be used when it is needed. In addition, St. Luke's has agreed to place a gateway monument sign at the intersection of Routes 33 and 78, stating "Welcome to Bethlehem Township, Home of St. Luke's."
Though President Hudak voted for the project, he warned Miolam and St. Luke's engineer Scott Pasterski that water flowing downhill from the hospital campus along Hope Road is causing problems. "And now we're adding another building with a sea of blacktop," complained Hudak.
Pasterski told Hudak that the basin at the bottom of Hope Road is "well under capacity," but Hudak told the engineer that millions and millions of gallons of water flow into an "unimproved swale."
Howard Kutzler noted that what was approved there is within the letter of the law. But resident Wat=yne Kresge, who personally experienced stormwater problems at this home on Chetwin Terrace,noted that the plans for his property were within the letter of the law, too, but he still experienced flooding after heavy rains.
"Very often things look good on paper, but in reality they don't work," cautioned Kresge.
Both Pasterski and Miolam agreed to look at the problem during the next rainstorm.
"We're not looking to flood out anyone's home," said Miolam.
In other business, Commissioners rejected a $1.3 million contract for the exterior renovation of the Archibald Johnston mansion at Housenick Park. Bracy Contracting was the sole bidder, and its price is nearly twice the $675,000-750,000 estimate. This may be because many items were added during the bidding process, like alterations to the elevator shaft and removal of lead-based paint.
Work on this mansion has been paid from grants and a $2 million trust fund established by Janet Housenick, Archibald Johnston's granddaughter. Trustees Bill Leeson, Steve Baratta and Tim Brady advised Commissioners in writing that they want to see the exterior stabilization project started by September. "We reserve the right to review and change the annual contribution amounts if the exterior stabilization project is not commenced in earnest and on a continuous basis before September."
This bid was tabled in August because Commissioner Pat Breslin was absent. He was absent again on September 18, so Commissioners voted without him.
It will cost the Township $4,000 to rebid the project.
Wayne Kresge complained that renovations at the mansion will eventually start costing the Township money. "We have a habit of spending money in this Township," he said, noting the cost of the Brodhead Road reconstruction and repairs at the community center. He said even the carports built for police cruisers have failed in their purpose of keeping snow off.
Double it's size. I just had my mother there and the nursing staff and CNAs are horrible. I couldn't wait to get her out. I also was there when it opened and I told them that unless I was dying, they better release me our transfer me. St. Luke's is thinking about the ole mighty dollar and not the patients that pay their salaries!
ReplyDeleteAnd the tax free money making movement goes on. Soon the hospitals, [LVHN & St. Luke's], will own both Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see an objective analysis made of what the effects are on our health care costs from the growth of Lehigh Valley corporate medical systems and their associated real estate empires.
ReplyDeleteThey just bought Sacred Heart. It's like hospital PacMan. They're building huge monuments to dying baby boomers that will eventually serve our coming immigrant explosion. There will be 400 million of us soon.
ReplyDeleteSt. Luke's just merged with Sacred Heart and Carbon County's medical facilities. This is just my opinion (for what's it's worth). LVHN Versus St Luke's-- Seems like a quality versus quantity issue to me.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understood LVHN's cardiology group formed some sort of alliance with Sacred Heart to keep it going. Not sure how that will play out.
St. Luke's recent acquisition of the hospitals in Lehighton and Palmerton seems like a holdover LVHN didn't want. These two weren't exactly known as being outstanding.
As far as doubling the size in Bethlehem Township. The Bethlehem Boat club got washed out twice at the bottom of Hope Road in the past. Members will need a boat just to get the boat club in the future (if they're still there). Years ago I spoke with the two brothers who lived at the bottom of Hope Road. I'm almost certain they must have given up by now. Back then their access was completely destroyed for almost two years right after ground excavation began before buildings were ever built.
Hope Road is the only access to the million dollar boat ramp Pennsylvania built under the nearby Route 33 bridge over the Lehigh River. I'll admit I haven't been down there in years, but if it's the same way it was the only solution is to build a very large underground water tunnel underneath Hope Road if they wish to continue building.
I wonder how long this tic for tat between the two will continue before the bubble burst.
LVCI, I used to run there regularly, long before St. Luke's. The run off was a serious problem then. St. Luke's has exacerbated the situation.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that the township blew it when they let a tax paying shopping complex, which would have blown away the Promanade, not be built. Amazing how the hospital can exist there when it was said the shopping center couldn't.
ReplyDelete