| Plans scrapped to locate A.G. Holley Turberculosis Hospital on FAU's Jupiter campus |
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A plan to put A.G. Holley Tuberculosis Hospital on the Jupiter campus of Florida Atlantic University fell apart earlier this year with a developer's fiscal trauma and new marching orders from state lawmakers.
For the third year in a row, the legislature has asked state officials to start anew on a project to relocate, re-build, or replace the 60-year-old Goliath sitting on prime Lantana property.
Everyone agrees a tuberculosis treatment center is a must. A.G. Holley serves the entire state, treating patients with the most difficult and resistant forms of tuberculosis.
But where it will go, what it will look like, and what will happen to its sprawling 140-acre campus is the question.
"Right now, it's like nothing is happening," said Lantana Mayor David Stewart. "We've been working on this for 10 years and it's not with a short term goal in mind. It's just the wheels are turning very slowly."
Last year, the state issued an invitation to negotiate to groups interested in managing and improving A.G. Holley.
The chosen proposal came from the Indianapolis-based Lauth Property Group, which was working with the University of Florida.
While discussions were in the early stages, details for a new hospital called the Florida Tuberculosis Research and Education Center had emerged by March.
Under the plan, a 30-to 50-bed center would be owned by the Department of Health and sit on FAU's Jupiter campus, but UF would maintain its education component and provide physicians.
Proponents said the location, near The Scripps Research Institute and the German biotechnology firm Max Planck, would encourage partnerships in the study of infectious diseases.
"Where better to locate," said Assistant Palm Beach County Administrator Shannon LaRocque in March.
But sometime during the legislative session, Lauth's finances were called into question and lawmakers decided the whole process was a do-over.
New proposals can include moving the hospital to a new location, or rebuilding it on its current site near Interstate 95 and Lantana Road. If rebuilt on the current location, it could not take up more than 15 acres, but proposals are not supposed to address what will happen with the remaining land.
Lawmakers are also asking that proposals keep operating expenses for the hospital to $9 million per year.
"By March of next year they have to be under contract and that's a very daunting task," said Lantana Town Manager Michael Bornstein.
Win Phillips, UF's vice president for research, said he's still interested in working on a new center in South Florida that would include the tuberculosis hospital.
He said he was surprised when discussions ended earlier this year.
"I still think it's an important project that we should do," Phillips said. "We made our scientific proposition and are willing to run it."
FAU lead Counsel David Kian said Thursday the school is waiting to see the new request for proposals before making a decision on whether to pursue having the hospital built on the Jupiter campus.
As far as Lantana goes, Bornstein said he wants input into whatever decision is made, and a development deal on the remainder of the A. G. Holley land that will provide jobs.
"Anything that happens, it has to be a positive for the town," Bornstein said. "We're willing to wait to do the right thing."
By KIMBERLY MILLER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 23, 2009 |
