Parkridge Medical Center officials said they have backed away from plans to put in a heli-pad that was opposed by Glenwood residents.
Betty Weaver, Parkridge vice president for marketing, said the hospital apologized to residents for not consulting with them prior to installing the pad across from some duplexes on Fifth Street at McConnell.
Parkridge on Wednesday afternoon removed a fence, lights and a wind sock at the site and also took off markings in the center of the round paved area behind the hospital.
Ms. Weaver said the hospital was deferring a request for rezoning the property. The issue had been set to go before the Planning Commission on Monday afternoon.
Members of the Glenwood Neighborhood Association still held a news conference at the site on Thursday at noon. They said they had not been consulted about the project and had observed the heli-pad being put in.
Debbie Thomas said there were concerns about safety of residents as well as noise.
Lamar Partridge said the heli-pad was put in on property that actually belongs to the city. He said it is sited on a short portion of McConnell Street.
Marva Nelson said the neighborhood group has invited Parkridge to join the association, but it never has.
Ms. Weaver said a number of the current leaders at the hospital are new to the job, and she said the hospital definitely will join the neighborhood group and improve communication.
She said the neighbors will be consulted before Parkridge decides what to do with the property. Neighbors said the hospital tore down some houses after buying the land.
Ms. Weaver said Parkridge has no plans to buy its own helicopter, but she said it would like to have a site where helicopters can land from smaller hospitals at such sites as Copper Basin and Whitwell. She said some doctors there would send serious cases to Parkridge by helicopter if a pad was available. She said the hospital is not a designated trauma center, but still could have the heli-pad. She said it specializes in heart and stroke cases.
Ms. Weaver said the current hospital buildings are not suitable for a helicopter landing area.
Parkridge issued this statement:
Parkridge Medical Center apologizes to the Glenwood Neighborhood Association for the lack of communication regarding the hospital's proposed helipad. Further, Parkridge acknowledges an unfortunate oversight regarding the appropriate use of this space given the existing zoning regulations in effect. We value the opinions and the relationship with our neighbors. As a result, we have dismantled the helipad and have rescinded the application for the helipad and are deferring the zone request at this time.
Since learning of the concerns several weeks ago, Parkridge has tried repeatedly to meet with association members. Further, we approached Councilman Hakeem on July 27th to establish a meeting date to communicate plans of our willingness to rescind the application and begin identifying alternatives for relocating the needed helipad. Our decision to build the helipad is based on the need to get patients with life-threatening conditions medical treatment as quickly as possible. We continue to pursue an ongoing dialogue with them. Our desire is to work together with our neighbors to promote and support our community.