Lakewood vs. Lakeway, Texas SUrgical Development Partners is Good For Lakewood

[Brian Essi]

Lakewood 52,000 people with 9,426.9 people per square mile

Lakeway, Texas 11,000 people with 1,379.4 people per square mile

Lakeway has a 106 bed hospital built and operated by Surgical Development Partners (SDP).

http://www.lakewayregional.com/services/

The City of Lakeway is very happy with their hospital operated by SPD.

So what's the problem with our City Leaders?

They want economic development don't they?

CCF is not negotiating for a hospital, we have a hospital for sale, so what's the problem?

If the Mayor has a better plan for downtown economic that SDP, let's hear it.

[Lori Allen _]

I think it is quite evident that Summers does NOT want the hospital, period. It appears he will stop at nothing to push through a deal that allows for him, council, and all of Summer's buddies to make LOTS of money for THEMSELVES. To hell with all the citizens of Lakewood. I hear that council is proposing to re-name Lakewood to Summersville!

[Bill Call]

I guess I could understand the Mayors position if Google wanted to bring 1,000 high tech jobs to Lakewood. All he has proposed so far is a second rate medical office building and a vacant lot.

Isn't there anyone on Council or the LHA board willing to come out and say that the deal with the Clinic makes no sense?

The Clinic is just offering a small office building in exchange for monopoly on Healthcare in Lakewood.

[Bridget Conant]

The fact is that NO other use of that land can generate the economic benefit of a health care facility. No condo or retail development can approach the benefits we derive from having a hospital located there.

Destroying the hospital is an irrevocable act. It should not be done without full consideration of alternatives. Since we DO have alternatives, WHY are we rushing to partner with an entity that has "done us wrong" for years?

Once the hospital is gone, I fully expect to have to make up the loss with increased property taxes, and likely an income tax increase. Again, who will want to locate in Lakewood with one of the highest property tax rates, when Avon offers lower rates, newer home styles, AND a brand new FULL SERVICE hospital?

We are shooting ourselves in the foot. We won't be able to compete.

[Lori Allen _]

Like I said before, I think it is all about the money. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

[Brian Essi]

The City, CCF, LHA and the local Tabloid can't make this story go away.