Palisades Medical Center, a non-profit hospital at 7600 River Rd. in North Bergen, has announced that a new on-campus 56,000-square-foot facility will be built to provide ambulatory care services, including day surgery. The location will also provide medical office space.
The existing site features a 202-bed hospital and The Harborage, a 245-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center. The hospital has more than 1,300 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $150 million.
The new facility is being co-developed by AMB Development Group and Duke Realty.
“The on-campus medical office space will provide a one-stop convenience for physicians and their patients,” said hospital president and CEO Bruce J. Markowitz. “It is critical in today’s health care environment to create facilities that support our mission and goals through operational efficiencies, patient comfort, and clinical outcomes.”
“I think that if we could work together that there are some options.” – Michelle Stokes
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“This project, which is being developed on our hospital campus, not only expands our capabilities to provide needed health care services to our community,” said Rojas in an e-mail. “It also provides the community the opportunity to access new state-of-the-art services and specialties that our community residents would otherwise have to go elsewhere to receive.”
The planned expansion is currently awaiting approval from the North Bergen Planning Board. According to Town Spokesman Phil Swibinski, last week’s planned hearing before the Planning Board was rescheduled. A new date has not yet been set.
Concerns
Residents of Kingston Pointe, a nearby 30-unit condominium complex at 7706 Marine Rd., have raised concerns. According to resident Michelle Stokes, the property will be directly in front of the complex, which currently has a waterfront view.
“It will definitely have an impact [on our view],” said Stokes. “We’ll have no light.”
“Two of the four floors that they’re looking to build are actually for parking,” Stokes continued. “We would be looking 70 feet away at a parking garage with fumes, light glare, and lamps.”
“It’s going to be quite a change in terms of our quality for life,” Stokes added.
She said the garage poses health risks and that the development will cause an increase in traffic.
“Currently, the road that we live on is an easement. It’s not a public road,” said Stokes, adding that the complex shares the road with Waterside Restaurant & Catering. “The plans call for a change in traffic flow, which would greatly increase the amount of traffic on our road.”
Stokes mentioned that engineers are asking for several variances to build the medical center.
“This matter will be heard by the North Bergen Planning Board and we expect it to be given full diligence and consideration by the board,” said Swibinski. “The Planning Board will make whatever decision it judges to be both in the best interests of North Bergen and allowable by law.”
Swibinski mentioned that the hospital is seeking variances from the planning board, which include increasing the maximum allowable height from 50 to 55 feet, increasing the allowable lot coverage from 75 to 79 percent, and reducing the minimum rooftop landscaping from 50 to 0 percent.
Stokes also mentioned that she is concerned about erosion and the soil settlement processes associated with construction.
“I think that if we could work together that there are some options,” said Stokes. “There are two not-fully-occupied buildings right next to the hospital as is. From a size standpoint, they are options.”
“The township has received some feedback from Kingston Pointe residents about the project,” said Swibinski, “and has encouraged the developer to meet with the homeowners to hear their concerns.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.