Founded in 1926 through the foresight of Dr. Raymond Babcock, and the funding of Charles S. Howard, Howard Memorial is now a non-profit, non-teaching (both indicators of the best care delivery) rural hospital operated by Adventist Health. The Howard Foundation, owner of the building, still has members of the Howard family on its board of directors, and it is the Foundation that has been raising funds, arranging financing, and overseeing the project to get a new hospital facility built on a different site. This old facility, charming and historic as it is, does not meet current earthquake safety standards specific to hospitals and schools. Seismic studies and architectural plans are all in hand for the new location, and the final step of selecting a construction contractor proceeded and went out to bid. When the Foundation opened the bids, they were in for a shock. Their best offer came in at about 150% of what had been budgeted and financed. That is to say, $19million over their estimated project of $39million. They are now looking at ways to alter the designs and build-out phasing to accommodate this new reality.
9 comments:
First -- what a beautiful choice for composition with that gorgeous curving hillside.
Second -- WOW, what a shock they must have had getting that kind of news. How much can they conceivably phase out to come in under budget?
I like the perspective you have chosen having the lawn in the foreground.
It's funny that you, Wayne and I (so far) have chosen hospital theme as today posts... :-)
I too like the perspective here...and this is the kind of lawn I remember rolling on as a kid...
Love the angle you took this at - looks so peaceful - I agree I bet all the patients roll down that when they are feeling better!!!
Building costs have sky-rocketed here too - it is just ridiculous - where will it stop??
Laurie - Thank you. I was driving past, saw the light, and screeched into their driveway! I worried the sun would drop away before I found a place to stand. As for the construction, phasing-in was what they were considering. That is to say, deciding if some elements can be constructed later. But they would probably end up eliminating stuff as a result. Construction materials probably won't be coming down anytime soon. I suspect the nurses-in-training dorms would be on the chopping block. Who knows?
JM - Thanks! I hope the "theme" is not prophetic in any way!
Bibi - You're so funny! They even have cleanly trimmed hedges to stop you from rolling into the street!
Jules - They have a hilltop location that's hard to photograph from any other spot. Maybe they use it as a test of fitness for discharge? That's the picture I should have taken. 6^)
I was born there March 25th, 1945. 6:00am. I’m not sure if it was Dr. Babcock or Dr. Smally that delivered me, I was too young to remember.
A pretty shot and a well-researched post. I echo Jules's question: when will it stop?
Ernie, how nice to have this lovely shot of where you were born!
Ernie - I wonder if your birth certificate has information on the attending doctor. And if you're in the mood for some city living, the Babcock House is for sale again: $558,000.oo! One of you Babcock Babies should snap it up. 6^)
Petrea - I wonder too. The economy is due for a big reshuffle, bailout or no bailout. It seems the Big Money Handlers are strictly Darwinian right up until the plane is going down. Then they're crying for Jesus.
"...strictly Darwinian right up until the plane is going down. Then they're crying for Jesus..."
You're brilliant, usE.
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