We all agree that we need good medical facilities with adequate capacity. However, being familiar with Flagstaff Medical Center’s emergency and surgical services, I have my doubts about the proposal to move the FMC to a location south of town.
— Does it make sense to have all services in one place? Even with new bus routes, will moving everything from near downtown to near Fort Tuthill improve access? I am skeptical.
— Rapid and safe access for patients and ambulances is a top priority. Beulah Boulevard, Milton Road, and Interstate 17 can be a real hoot during a major Northern Arizona University event or after an accident. Even with planned improvements, will the new site be easily accessible for people from the Navajo, Grand Canyon, and other areas?
— Will a ‘health and wellness village’ help house local professionals and workers? Or will it feel like a spa resort, attracting wealthy out-of-town buyers and exacerbating the housing crisis?
–The climate crisis has already arrived in mountain towns. The devastating fires in Paradise, Calif., and Boulder County, Colorado, show that past fires and floods could get worse. Are new hospitals designed with resilience in mind? Expect features such as on-site generation and storage, multiple exit routes, and alternate facilities should evacuation be required.
— Having read the proposals for sustainability and climate goals, they seem limited and vague. Climate change is affecting us (less water, devastating fires, loss of reliable snow). Flagstaff City Council has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The current Board should not abandon this promise lightly. Other health facilities plan to go net-zero, so why is NAH so less ambitious? It’s possible to build sustainable buildings here. NAU and the Northern Arizona Museum built a Platinum LEED facility several years ago. This project should be at least as rigorous.
The expected financial cost to the city is a taxpayer issue. However, all users of NAH Healthcare should be disappointed by the gaps in this proposal. I urge the Council not to approve this project until we have assurances that it will advance our long-term interests.
