Tehachapi News

Architect for hospital chosen

larger view larger view larger view

Tehachapi's bumpy road toward the construction of a new hospital to replace the old one took on renewed vigor April 23 with the announcement that the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District has selected and signed an architect for the project.

“As of today at 4 o'clock, we have hired an architectural engineer,” Project Manager Norm Clendenin told the crowd gathered at Don Juan's Grill for a bond campaign kick-off event hosted by the boards of the healthcare district and the Tehachapi Hospital Foundation.

The hiring of an architect is a significant step in a process that is moving toward Jan. 1, 2013, when state seismic requirements will close the doors of the existing building.

SWA Architects of Pasadena and Scottsdale is the winning bidder.

“Right now they are already starting our plans,” said district board President Dr. Sam Conklin.

The $3.6 million architect fee will be paid out of funds the district already has, Clendenin said. Under the public contracting code, the money for construction - which will be $44 to $45 million -- has to be in the bank before that deal is signed, he said.

Less than a year ago, the district board paid $1 million for design plans it concluded were inadequate. The board fired the design/build firm that had produced the plans, creating a controversy in the community.

The total cost of the project will be about $67 million, a portion of which will be covered by a previous bond issue and the rest - if the campaign succeeds - by a new bond.

Conklin said that of the $15 million bond approved in 2004, $12.7 million has been sold and, with interest, now amounts to $14 million. Of that bond, $2.3 million remains to be sold.

“We need to raise an additional $50 million,” Conklin said.

“That includes furniture and equipment, not just the building,” said district board member Dr. Susan Hall.

The board members encouraged the public to attend building, finance and board meetings to keep an eye on the construction process.

“We welcome the public to scrutinize to the closest extent,” said board member Dr. Kim Horowitz.

While an outside firm may be hired to promote the bond and get it on the November ballot, Demont said, “The best marketers of the idea, of the concept, is all of you in this room. You are the decision makers, the movers and shakers. You know what the community has to lose and to gain.”

Stuck in the 50s
The existing Tehachapi Hospital was built in 1954 to serve a population that the census showed to be 1,685 in 1950, Publicity Chairman Marilyn Beardslee said at the Foundation event.

“Despite the current population of 35,000, the hospital has not expanded by one brick,” Beardslee said.

She said that seismic retrofitting of the existing building at 115 W. E St. would cost as much as building a state-of-the-art new facility.

In any case, she said, “The original hospital plans no longer exist. No one can find them.”

The foundation concluded that a $50 million bond would amount to an annual tax of $200 per assessed property value of $100,000 or $16.67 a month - the cost of a large pizza.

At the April 15 healthcare district board meeting, two consultants expressed optimism that the community will support a $50 to $52 million bond issue to build the hospital.

“This is do-able, but not an easy task,” said Khushroo F. Gheyara, senior vice president of Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc., of Emeryville, a company that shepherds bond measures through campaigns and elections.

“I believe there are enough voters in this district to support a new hospital,” he said.
Another consultant, Roy E. Nelson, public finance, Wulff, Hansen & Co., investment bankers of San Francisco, said, “The biggest thing is educating the public - show them what they will be paying through the tax rates.”

Nelson said it is important to have meetings with citizen groups - “Any group with more than 10 people in the room.”

_______________________

"We need to get it done"

A former board member declared his strong support for the new bond effort and asked the community to leave old disputes behind.

“The 800-pound gorilla finally stands up in the room,” announced Pete Sturn, manager of information systems for Hall Ambulance Service and district board member during stressful times for the hospital.

“I was involved in the board for a number of years. I had the pleasure of being involved in one of the last 'save the hospital, build the hospital' campaigns,” Sturn said.

“It's important for you people to get out to the community and not be passive.”

He said that back then, the issues were of a desperate nature - would the doors of the hospital open the next day, would the staff be paid?

“The hospital today is functioning in the black. Joe (Demont) is primarily responsible for that. This is not a measure to save the hospital.

“The hospital is a viable, sustainable entity. We just need a building.

“If it is possible for people to change their minds, it's what we need to focus on in this community.

“We need to get it done.”

_______________________

For information on how to help build Tehachapi's hospital, contact:

Tehachapi Hospital Foundation Chairman Jo Anne Huckins
P.O. Box 734, Tehachapi, CA 93581
e-mail: thf@isp.com
Website www.thfinc.org
Message phone (661) 972-1450

Posted online April 27, 2009; print edition Volume 110, No. 3, April 28, 2009