Plan to close UPMC's Braddock hospital stuns town

Braddock residents and business owners on Friday said they were stunned and saddened to learn that University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will close its Braddock hospital, where work on a multimillion-dollar modernization appeared to continue.

City Administrator Ella Jones said the announcement "blindsided" public officials.

"The disrespect they have shown employees and this community is flabbergasting. It's hurtful," Jones said. "The bottom line for UPMC is the dollar. It's not caring for the patients, it's not the community, it's the dollar.

"They had to have known. They just don't sit overnight and decide to close. They got money from the state, millions of dollars to do things at the hospital, and now they close."

Earth-moving equipment operated outside the hospital's main entrance, which faces Randy Beard's home on Fourth Street. Beard grew up using the hospital and said he recently has visited often because of an ailing back.

He questions UPMC's explanation that foot traffic at the hospital is down.

"Every time I go there it's packed — always," said Beard, 42.

The state in February 2008 committed almost half the money for a $6 million renovation of the hospital's entrance and patient rooms. The project was to include consolidating the hospital's laboratory, film library and storeroom, and upgrading the radiology and dietary departments and parking areas.

UPMC never used the money, said spokesman Paul Wood.

At the time, Gov. Ed Rendell lauded UPMC Braddock for being the community's main health care provider and a top employer. He said the state grants would be an investment to "help extend and enhance the hospital's mission of caring through the 21st century."

Beard criticized UPMC for wasting the money.

"If you're closing down, why spend all that money to fix the place up?" he said. "It's crazy. Everyone says we're the richest country in the world ... but now someone has a heart attack, they have to go out of town (for treatment). It just doesn't make any sense."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle of Forest Hills said he, state Sen. Sean Logan of Monroeville, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman requested a meeting Monday morning with UPMC President Jeffrey Romoff to discuss the decision.

"I was surprised and dismayed. I have lots of questions about this proposal," Doyle said in a statement. "This is an important hospital in an area that really needs it."

Jones said many Braddock residents are senior citizens who don't have access to other hospitals. She questioned the health care giant's contention that Braddock residents go elsewhere for hospital care.

"They don't have access to anyplace else," she said.

Across the street from the hospital, construction of a 56-unit senior-living apartment complex operated by Pennrose Management Co. appeared to be nearing completion at the corner of Braddock Avenue and Fourth Street.

Company spokeswoman Stephanie Fuchs said Pennrose has a waiting list for the apartments. She didn't know whether the hospital's closure will deter potential renters.

"This whole thing took us by complete surprise," Fuchs said. She said Heritage Health has expressed interest in moving to Braddock and wondered whether it might consider using the hospital site.

At Mele Brothers & Sister Florist on Braddock at Fifth, employees arranged roses and tulips for yesterday's deliveries.

"We're saddened by all this," said Mary Mele Abel, who has owned the 55-year-old shop since 2000.

The florist operates a cooler in the hospital stocked with flowers and other gifts. Abel said she doesn't believes her business will suffer, but she holds out hope that another tenant will move into the building.

"Those poor people," she said, referring to hospital employees. "I'm just glad to hear that most of them will be able to keep their jobs."

UPMC said most of the 652 employees would be offered jobs elsewhere in the system.