In a dollar deal that turns the page on a century-old institution, the Village of Lakeview is set to acquire the former Kelsey Hospital site from Corewell Health. The village will shell out a symbolic buck for the property after Corewell demolishes the building and clears the site of hazardous materials.
The decision to offload the site for the price of a cheap cup of coffee comes on the heels of the hospital's shutdown last October, leaving a void in the community's healthcare options and stoking economic concerns. Corewell Health, which runs the facility, determined it was outdated after witnessing patient numbers dwindle over the past decade. The site's new chapter will begin with demolition expected in March, scheduled for completion by the summer sun, according to the Detroit Free Press.
As for the aftermath, Lakeview is poised to take the reins on the future direction of the site, with local officials collaborating with Corewell Health, The Right Place, and the Montcalm County Economic Alliance to brainstorm potential development projects. These discussions pivot around the consensus that the existing structure is unsuitable for a makeover, with Village Manager Darin Dood hinting at residential or mixed-use structures to address the housing deficit, as per a statement obtained by News Channel 3.
"The Village is excited about embracing this new opportunity for growth in the community where Kelsey once stood," Dood told Mlive. While residents may reel from the loss of Kelsey Hospital, the appetite for economic expansion remains hearty. The need for a range of facilities, including daycare centers, has the village looking toward a horizon of development opportunities.
Despite the disruption caused by the hospital's closure, Corewell Health has offered roles in their health system to all former employees of the hospital, with the vast majority choosing to stay on. Meanwhile, Corewell Health has not only shown its commitment to the community through job preservation but also by donating medical supplies to SIM USA for use in critical aid operations worldwide, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
