By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-699966.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Kaleida is getting millions of dollars of state aid to shutter Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. But over the last several months, Kaleida has spent nearly two million dollars on aesthetic improvements at the fated hospital.
Walk down the hall of the stroke care center at Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital and you might think it was a hotel. The walls are painted and papered with a decorator's flair, accented by beautiful wall sconces. Patient rooms are also done up in high style, complete with coordinated valances at the windows.
But it all could be demolished. in a year or two.
The state ordered the hospital's services be transferred to Buffalo General Hospital within the next two years. Kaleida President James Kaskie said the investment might not immediately make sense to the public.
"They do get a little confused, I'm sure, and say why would you put money in your house when you know you're going to move in a couple of years?" said Kaskie. "You don't want your house to not be a safe placce to live, not be of a quality that you need it to be."
He adds that millions are also being spent on state of the art equipment that eventually will be moved to Buffalo General.
The state recently agreed to give Kaleida $65 million to assist with the closure of the hospital. The healthcare system also stands to make a decent deal on the vacated property. Kaskie said they are already getting a lot of interest in the prime location.
Still, he said Kaleida is not interested in the development business. But he said the community will be part of the process to decide what the best use will be for shuttered building.
Possible plans range from rehabbing the facility for reuse or tearing it down - renovations and all - for new development.
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