Early last month Mt. Sinai Hospital informed the judge in the ongoing lawsuit to close Beth Israel (Progressive Action of Lower Manhattan v. Mt. Sinai Hospital) that Mt. Sinai was revising its plan to build a 70 bed new hospital at the corner of 14th Street and 2nd Avenue. That plan has already been revised several times. The most recent rendering shows a 12 story building (which is far larger than that needed for a 70 bed hospital). The litigants have told Mt. Sinai that a true community needs study, at least 200 beds, a fully operational surgical unit, and a maternity ward are needed to end the lawsuit. Maybe they are listening?
—Arthur Schwartz
