In Scranton, a pivotal public hearing is taking place tonight regarding Geisinger’s proposal for a zoning amendment to facilitate its hospital expansion. The healthcare provider is seeking approval to construct a five-story annex on Colfax Avenue, directly across from Geisinger Community Medical Center.
The hearing is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at City Hall’s council chambers, located at 340 N. Washington Ave. The City Council will follow with their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. where a decision could be made. The proposal is on the council’s agenda for the evening.
Local residents have expressed concerns, not only about the potential traffic and aesthetic impacts but also about the urgency of the zoning amendment. Doris Koloski, a resident from Colfax, mentioned, “There’s no reason why they can’t take more time, sit with the neighbors, work on an agreement acceptable to us and to them.”
The Background of the Zoning Amendments
The proposed amendments seek to reclassify zoning from institutional to civic in two Colfax Avenue blocks, increasing the permissible building height from 45 to 100 feet. This would permit the construction of the new annex in the 400 block, with similar zoning changes requested for the 200 block.
Since 2020, Geisinger has invested over $6.2 million to acquire properties in these blocks and has undertaken the demolition of existing structures to prepare for expansion.
Reversing Previous Decisions
Geisinger’s zoning amendment request aims to overturn a part of the zoning ordinance that was redefined by the council in May 2023. Initially, Geisinger planned for taller structures in the 200 block, including a parking garage, to accommodate the hospital’s expansion needs.
In response to the council’s previous amendments, Geisinger expressed that it limited their capability to address regional health care challenges, stating, “Unfortunately, council’s amendment severely limits our ability to address the critical health care needs … and we will now re-evaluate our options to determine the appropriate path forward.”
New Plans Unveiled
Recently, Geisinger officials presented an updated plan featuring a five-story building standing 75 feet tall, designed to connect to the existing hospital via a bridge over Mulberry Street. “It has been very clear to us from the beginning that 100 feet is not going to be tenable to our neighbors,” explained Megan Brosious, Geisinger’s executive vice president and COO.
The planned annex will provide additional inpatient beds, medical procedure suites, and possibly more outpatient clinic spaces. A parking facility is also proposed for the site. The urgency of the expansion is underscored by ongoing concerns about the Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital, which are part of a potential acquisition by Tenor Health Foundation.
Support from the Mayor
Mayor Paige Cognetti supports the proposed zoning changes, having advocated for them shortly after her reelection. “Now here we are, two-and-a-half years later with unfortunately, an increasingly tenuous healthcare situation here in Scranton,” Cognetti noted, stressing the necessity for flexibility and space to accommodate Scranton’s medical needs.
Cognetti highlighted the significant investments Geisinger has made elsewhere and emphasized the importance of having robust healthcare facilities within Scranton, stating, “We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can as a city to help Geisinger expand and continue to provide that great healthcare right here in the city. And that’s why I support this.”
