Impact report urged for hospital

A group challenging the expansion of the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center renewed its calls Thursday for an environmental impact report on the project, saying the hospital had not properly disclosed the seismic risks faced by the facility.

Community Advocates for a Responsible Expansion sent an engineering analysis to city officials arguing that the hospital has given conflicting reports on potential earthquake damage at the Mission Hills medical facility.

The project was approved by the City Council last year but blocked by a Superior Court judge. Now the council must decide whether to seek a more thorough environmental review process.

Providence Holy Cross and its foes have been waging a lengthy public relations battle in the weeks leading up to a council vote. The hospital, which treated patients in the Sept. 12 Metrolink crash, has aired television commercials urging council members to support the expansion, which could add as many as 136 hospital beds.

Opponents, including a healthcare union, contend the hospital failed to address parking, traffic and neighborhood safety issues.

-- David Zahniser