HOBOKEN – Mayor Dawn Zimmer said on Wednesday that she will soon be going around to speak with members of the community that have concerns about the impending sale of Hoboken University Medical Center to a group that also owns Bayonne Medical Center.
After a bidding period and four months of exclusive negotiations with the group from Bayonne known as HUMC Holdco, the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority Board announced in April that they were selling the hospital to the Bayonne group, which will keep it as a hospital.
This [sale] is the opportunity we have to not only continue to provide [acute care] services but to also potentially expand services in the future,” Zimmer said on Wednesday.
Sources have said calls have been going around the county alleging that Zimmer is trying to close the hospital and turn the building into condominiums. Zimmer said her office has received calls from concerned seniors all throughout the county asking her about the claims, which she said this week are not true.
On June 7, Primary Election Day, opponents of Assembly candidate and Hoboken Councilman Ravinder Bhalla apparently gave out flyers alledging that Bhalla also wanted to close Hoboken University Medical Center, according to the Bhalla campaign.
The mayor said she will host a dinner and related community meeting on June 21 at 5 p.m. for seniors at Fox Hill Gardens, 311 13th St., and then a 7 p.m. meeting for the general public at a location to be announced.
On Wednesday, June 22, the mayor will hold a meeting at the Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand St., at 6 p.m. (before Bingo) for seniors.
On Tuesday, June 28, there will be a meeting for seniors at 220 Adams St. at 5 p.m., and on Thursday, June 30, Housing Authority residents are invited to 221 Jackson St. at 5 p.m. for a meeting.
Have you received one of the calls? We want to hear from you. Email us at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com, or call (201) 798-7800, extension 406 and ask to speak with Ray Smith. — RS
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