Department of Health to inspect Brownsville Tri-County Hospital
BROWNSVILLE – The proposed Brownsville Tri-County Hospital faces a major hurdle this weekend, according to board President Frank Ricco. Ricco, who is also president of the Greater Brownsville area Chamber of Commerce, told the chamber Tuesday that the state Department of Health will be conducting an on-site inspection at the hospital this Saturday.
“We are ready for the inspection,” Ricco said.
Ricco said the facility is being treated as a new hospital by the state because the license for the former Brownsville General Hospital Inc. was surrendered to the state two years ago when the then for-profit hospital closed its doors prior to declaring bankruptcy. The bankruptcy case is continuing in federal court.
A nonprofit board of directors is now trying to reopen the hospital, but, Ricco said, must bring the property up to the current building and safety codes.
“We were successful in getting some exceptions, not permanently, but an extension of time,” Ricco said.
Ricco said that an acoustic tile ceiling in the hospital’s kitchen had to be replaced with a heavier, smooth-surfaced, fire-rated ceiling. Because of increased weight of the fire-rated ceiling tiles, an engineering firm had to ascertain that the building could handle the extra weight and heavier hanging wires were needed for the suspended ceiling.
“We’ve hired a full-time project manager,” Ricco said.
Ricco said Wally Corp. is handling the project manager duties. Ricco said the firm has handled projects at the building for the past 30 years, so is familiar with the structure.
In other matters, it was reported that the chamber spent more than $27,000 to rewire the downtown area for the Christmas lighting display this year. The wiring was damaged several years ago when a truck tore down the utility wires. The chamber’s executive director, Scott Bowman, said he would contact the borough about possibly partial reimbursement for the work. Bowman said he recalls the borough receiving an insurance check for $1,800 when the accident occurred.
Ricco announced changes in the chamber’s board of directors and the way they are elected. The board is being reduced from 27 to 24 members, with eight members up for election every three years. Ricco said that instead of presenting members with a ballot containing 12 names for consideration for the eight openings each year, the executive board will present the membership with eight recommendations for approval, with the option to write in a candidate. Ballots should be going out shortly, Ricco said.