WPCNR KING KOMMENTS. By White Plains Councilman William King. September 23, 2003:  Councilman WilIiam King, entering his last three months as a member of the Common Council submits a proposal that would save St. Agnes Hospital. Here is his plan:

Councilman William King

I would like to submit a proposal to bond for $25m for the St. Agnes property if NYPH will agree to exchange their southern 100 acres for St. Agnes.  The proposal would hinge on several things:  

a. NYPH's willingness to allow the City of White Plains to run a park on the southern 100 acres for at least 100 years;
b. The State Dormitory Authority, which St. Agnes owes $36m, to forgive the other $11m they are owed;
c. St. Agnes/Westchester Medical's willingness to permit redevelopment of their property for biotech research and the proton beam accelerator proposed by NYPH;
d. White Plains Common Council and state legislature/governor's approval.

The main hospital buildings on the St. Agnes campus could remain and continue to serve in- and out-patient functions and lodging for those patients and their families who have come for pba treatment as well as other general medical patients.

The 100 acres could be used for all types of uses, passive and active, and could be used as unmatched space for summer day camps.  Buildings remaining along the southern end of the historic oval could be used for needed indoor activity space during inclement weather.

The County and Federal Government would be invited to help the City with bonding and grants.  County and City sales tax revenues from the new Fortunoff's and City Center could be used to pay off the bonds.

I ask that NYPH and the city administration not reject this proposal out of hand as has been done in the past.  

The example right across the street from NYPH of Fortunoff's redeveloping an existing vacant site(vacant Saks store) is analogous to the opportunity of redeveloping the St. Agnes property where significant parts of that property will soon be closed on top of other parts of the site which are significantly underutilized.  

The proximity of biotech research activity at St. Agnes to the former Kraft General Foods office space across North Street may also help to stimulate related, safe medically-related usages and leaseup of that building complex.

Councilman William King