Less than three weeks before the deadline for project proposals, Anne Arundel Medical Center officials are considering revising the criteria for potential developers of the 5-acre hospital site in downtown Annapolis to let them know what nearby residents want.
Hospital officials have sent detailed Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to 85 developers since early February, outlining the criteria to be used to decide which company gets to develop the site after the hospital moves to Parole in 2001.
The additional criteria would tell developers that residents strongly hope the 291,000-square-foot building will be torn down and replaced with a residential project. Residents also said they would welcome businesses such as a grocery store or pharmacy.
"The feeling is that, while there may be consideration given to the use of the building as an office building, it's not in the best interests of the community," said Abel Merrill, who represented the Ward One Residents Association in a meeting Tuesday where the revised criteria were suggested. "It's been very clearly expressed. It just hasn't been heard."
Sandy Cohen, president of the Murray Hill Residents Association and one of two community leaders on the hospital's 17-member Site Re-Use Advisory Committee, is drafting the suggested clarification. After she submits it to hospital officials, they can distribute it or call another committee meeting to discuss the issue.
"The hospital is still looking for proposals to be returned by April 10," said Mary Lou Baker, hospital spokeswoman. "They must comply with the criteria as previously agreed on."
The site, the largest parcel available for development in the Historic District in decades, has been the focus of anxiety for Ward 1 residents since the hospital announced two years ago that it would move.
The site's professional use zoning classification unnerves residents, who fear increased traffic and that the building will be empty after 5 p.m. if the site is used for offices.
Concern for services
Cohen's revision also states that residents would support cultural uses of the site, such as a park or a theater.
"It's my understanding that the downtown residential population has been dropping -- the services oriented to residents have certainly left," Cohen said. "This is a land-use decision that could help to rebuild that residential base and might even be an opportunity for some neighborhood services."
Jon Arason, Annapolis planning and zoning director who is on the reuse committee, noted that the site's zoning allows only offices or single-family dwellings. But developers submitting a planned-unit development plan are allowed to place businesses that benefit or are linked to the community on up to 30 percent of the site. Those seeking to build apartments or town homes on the hospital site could seek an exception.
Desires differ
Susan K. Zellers, city economic development director who is also on the committee, said the hospital site was a "difficult issue" because the residents' desires differ from those of many in the business community, who see great development opportunities in the downtown property.
"I think it's important that we keep this RFP process open to get the widest variety of potential development on that site so that we can then make good decisions over what belongs there," Zellers said. "It might be straight residential, it might be mixed use. Let's see what the professionals come up with and make decisions based on that."
Pub Date: 3/25/99