Issues

On November 18, 2009, the Louisiana Commission on Streamlining Government spearheaded by State Treasurer John Kennedy, by a vote of 7-3, passed a motion seeking an independent study of the proposed $1.2 billion LSU medical complex and alternatives for delivering the cost efficient health care in New Orleans.

Over the past two years, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) and most recently 77 other organizations including The Urban Conservancy have sought such a study. The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed Big Charity on its 11 Most Endangered List in America in 2008.

“This study seeks to determine what is the fastest and cheapest way to get health care back to the people of New Orleans,” said Sandra Stokes, executive vice president of the FHL. “It will kick-start the economy, save a neighborhood, and get the bio-sciences corridor going,” she added.

The Urban Conservancy supports an in-depth study of alternatives to building on the current site, which calls for the expropriation and demolition of private residential and commercial properties — many of them historic—in Lower Mid-City to make way for a sprawling new medical center campus.

The motion in the Commission, offered by State Senator Jack Donahue (R - Mandeville), would also require an independent evaluation of the business model guiding LSU’s plan for a new hospital. The motion seeks a study of a new hospital, the use of Charity gutted and renovated, and other alternatives.

Even after testimony from LSU Health Sciences Center Chancellor Dr. Larry Hollier, Director of Facility Planning and Control Jerry Jones, LSU Vice President of Health Affairs Dr. Fred Cerise, and DHH Secretary Alan Levine urging the commission to reject the motion, members of the Commission were ultimately persuaded to call for the independent analysis.

The advocates speaking for the rehabilitation of Charity Hospital were Stokes, Jack Davis, a Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Steve McDaniel, principal in charge of FHL’s commissioned study by RMJM, who is now a principal at Perkins+Will.

“We commend the Streamlining Commission for taking the responsibility and initiative to look for viable solutions that are faster and cheaper,” added Stokes.

In 2006 the State Legislature passed a resolution asking FHL to assess the landmark and its potential for use as a hospital. FHL raised over $600,000 in private donations to commission the feasibility analysis and report. FHL is a non-profit 501©(3) organization chartered in 1965. One of its missions is economic development through preservation.

Visit: www.savecharityhospital.org and www.DoctorsforCharity.com, and www.fhl.org