Perpetual Postponement of Christus Hospital Facility? Or Protect Your Developer and Mayor???--You Pick the title . . . ;-)

CRD OP/ED Piece with internal release (damage control) from JDC/Graf/Owen,

CRD would like to thank Mr. Graf for getting this clarification out finally. It would have been nice if he had quoted the article below rather than merely parroting the cut/paste from one of the SJD/JDC employees. Also it might be added that they advertised start dates during most of '05. Why were they keeping this information off the front burners for all these months and why now the damage control? Mr. Smith, Mr. Owen, & Mr. Graf (of the EDC) should read the original release and pay particular attention to the words "may be" and "apparently" (along with the question marks in the title to the post) and thank you for the final confirmation of this "perpetual postponement"? Now to the real issue---WHERE ARE Missouri City residents going to get health care services once Hermann leaves? You are welcome to continue to "split hairs" on the timely release of this information, but you gentlemen made such an effort to release PR about the new Hospital coming in '06, isn't that misinforming? Isn't with-holding this information misinforming? Or was there a deliberate attempt by some to keep this off the burner until after Owen's re-election since he mentioned it in his re-election release 2 weeks ago?

You are invited to answer these questions, and Mr. Smith---why is the October release, which was up on SiennaNet.com until April 3rd announcing the Christus opening suddenly down and these new releases put up? It couldn't be because the information is out finally! AGAIN THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING THAT CHRISTUS HAS NO SET BUILD DATE AND IS BEING POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTIFICATION (OF COURSE CORRECT THIS INFORMATION IF IT IS WRONG). Also let us know if they exercise the buy-back option on or before 2008 with JDC!

CRD Comment--It would be nice to get these information releases from the developer in a timely manner rather than months after the decision was made behind closed doors!!! This is about the health of the community and the city has an obligation to protect its residents (not its vendors, contractors and campaign supporters!).

Here's their SiennaNet.com internal release #2--

Sienna/Johnson Developer News
Missouri City Economic Development Coordinator, Bob Graf Comments on Christus Project – 04/06/06

This email is for the purpose of providing a status update on the Christus Hospital project in Missouri City.  It is in response to an email distribution entitled “ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION:  CHRISTUS CANCELS HOSPITAL LOCATION IN SIENNA!”  that has been circulating. That email was the result of an Internet Blog link with content that stated to the effect that the project has been cancelled. That information is false.

The correct information about the project is that it has been temporarily postponed, essentially put on hold, to allow additional time for the proper assimilation of numerous development plans.
Just yesterday, I spoke with Julia Fetzer, Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Planning for Christus Health-Gulf Coast.  During our discussion about the Christus project, she wanted to assure us that they continue to be very enthusiastic about the project in Missouri City.

She also emphasized that the nature and scope of this kind of enterprise requires an enormous amount of time and meticulous planning which is essential for the development of a new hospital that is being built from the ground up.  As explained, a factor causing the postponement here has been the destruction that the recent hurricanes caused to other Christus Hospital facilities in the Golden Triangle estimated at over $80 million. Although most of the damage was covered by insurance, this resultant damage has impacted the immediate focus of hospital system personnel causing it to concentrate its efforts at operating those existing hospitals currently serving patients in a back to normal mode.  I also was advised that many of the organization staff's focus has additionally been involved in the recently announced forthcoming sale of St. Joseph Hospital in Houston.

One of the most important aspects of the success of any hospital involves the support of medical doctors that will practice in a new facility. We have been advised that not only does it take time for these endorsements, but also we have been told that hospital facility officials have not been able to avail themselves to meet with area doctors to inform them of the benefits of locating an office practice in the medical complex building, next to the hospital, allowing them easy in and out facility access as medical hospital staff. This will be their focus for the next several months.

Also in my conversation with Ms. Fetzer, she stated that the schematics of the new facility had been completed, but that they desire supporting medical doctors, who will be utilizing the hospital, to provide additional design input for the facility layout.

Until these and other matters are settled, the actual construction start date will continue to be postponed. We will endeavor to continue to have an open dialogue with the staff at Christus and if there is any change in their present status or future plans, I will pass on that information.

I hope this serves to clarify the present status of the Christus Hospital project here in Missouri City.  

Bob Graf
Economic Development Coordinator  
City of Missouri City 



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CRD Comment--Yes Bob it does, but it is a little late as usual. I'm sure your close working relationships with Owen, JDC help to make these releases timely---right! Now since this release is on an internal website and the rest of Missouri City can not see it (other than our repost of it) then please make this information available to those who pay taxes and need this hospital!