153-Year-Old Jersey City Hospital Could Become Apartments

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The 153-year-old Christ Hospital in Jersey City sits on a cliff overlooking Manhattan and Hoboken, offering panoramic views of the New York City skyline.

UPDATE: Hospital Owners Say They Plan To Close. Read More Here.

While condo towers rise just hundreds of feet away, the hospital complex has continued serving nearby Medicaid recipients, seniors, and others who depend on its services.

But that may soon change if the new owner, Hudson Regional Health, doesn't get more funding, the company has told officials over the past two months.

Weeks ago, the company sent notices to the state announcing that they would lay off 206 workers at the hospital through this past Sunday.

They also have told local officials that if they don't get millions of dollars in funding, the hospital will close.

A spokesman for the Health Professionals & Allied Employees, AFT/AFL-CIO, said Monday that union representatives are planning to attend a Jersey City council meeting Wednesday night to speak out about the future of the property.

The union has posted a petition urging the City Council and Division of Planning and Zoning to "Stop The Land Grab."

PAST COVERAGE: New Owners Of Jersey City Hospital Threaten To Suspend Services, Officials Furious

What's The Deal?

In August, a judge ruled that Hudson Regional Health, which owns Meadowview Hospital in Secaucus, would allowed to take over Christ Hopsital in Jersey City, as well as Hoboken University Hospital down the hill, and Bayonne Medical Center in Bayonne.

Earlier in the year, HRH, while still a potential buyer, had floated redevelopment plans to build residential housing around the Hoboken hospital, in order to keep it financially viable.

In the last few weeks, local officials have said HRH has also been floating plans to demolish Christ Hospital — now renamed Heights University Hospital —and build a new hospital on adjoining land, while erecting two residential towers in its place.

“Since the takeover of the CarePoint system and the transition of the system out of bankruptcy, we have been working relentlessly to create the best possible healthcare system," the company said in a statement in late September. "Despite over $300 million in investments in just 10 months, with a major portion dedicated to the newly renamed] Heights University Hospital, it was determined in recent days after a thorough analysis, that the facility is unable to avoid continued financial distress."

Then, 12 days ago, the company issued a more dire statement: "HRH continues to do everything possible to execute the stabilization plan for Heights University Hospital; however, we have yet to receive the necessary funding support from the State of New Jersey, nor has the county’s proposed federal funding option been realized. Without this support, we may face another major liquidity challenge as of Nov. 10.

"Rather than focusing on criticism or mischaracterizations, we encourage union and community leaders to join us in working toward solutions that protect our hospitals and ensure quality care for all Hudson County residents."

Councilman James Solomon, who's in a run-off election for mayor, criticized the residential tower idea.

"HRH has now escalated its threats, warning the city that it will demolish the hospital and erect a massive development along the Palisades unless the city approves their proposed luxury housing project," he said, claiming the company's actions are "unacceptable and driven by greed."

He characterized the company's chariman as a developer rather than a health care professional, and said he knew of the hospitals' financial position before the purchase.

“There is a clear pattern here: HRH’s actions are about profit, not health care," Solomon said. "They’ve taken control of this hospital not to serve our community, but to profit from building luxury towers and pushing out residents who depend on affordable, accessible healthcare. This crisis was caused by developer greed, and I will fight to protect our hospital and prioritize the needs of Jersey City residents."

The historic Heights neighborhood, reachable from Hoboken by a light rail elevator, has become a popular destination for families, a place where current Mayor Steve Fulop lives with his wife and children.

So far, major condo projects have not been proposed for the cliff, instead rising across Highway 139 in the Journal Square section. But numerous Heights properties are being rehabbed and redeveloped.

Adjacent to the hospital property are CarePoint Pharmacy (CarePoint is the former owner of the hospital), a former nursing school, and other medical buildings. Patch has asked a Hudson Regional Health spokesperson if those properties are also included in their holdings, but has not yet received an answer. Patch will update the story when more information is received.

The City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Find out more information here.

PAST COVERAGE: New Owners Of Jersey City Hospital Threaten To Suspend Services, Officials Furious