ATLANTA — It has been one year since Wellstar shut down Atlanta Medical Center, and the closing has placed extra burden on other hospitals in metro Atlanta ever since. It appears now the city is figuring out what to do with that boarded-up property - but a plan won't come together quickly.
The City of Atlanta is going to study how to re-purpose the 25-acre property. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the city intends to hire a contractor. The contractor will be required to hold a series of public meetings and consult with residents, community leaders, and Wellstar, the property owner. The contractor will then come up with a proposal for the site, a process that could last into late next year.
"I believe that these are life or death conversations," Atlanta City Councilmember Keisha Sean Waites said. "I believe that there is an urgency at play where we cannot afford to wait."
Waites, like other community activists, supports finding the money to repurpose the facilities immediately for healthcare.
Wellstar closed the hospital last November, citing falling revenue and increasing costs, leaving one of Atlanta's historic Black neighborhoods strained for healthcare.
Grady Memorial Hospital - the only Level 1 trauma center in Atlanta since AMC's closure - was "dangerously overcrowded" on Wednesday night, according to its daily report to the state. Wellstar's own North Fulton Hospital reported Wednesday that it was "severely overcrowded."
Waites said why wait when the need is immediate, "to address mental health, unsheltered populations, and to provide hospital-style beds to individuals who may be experiencing trauma or things of that nature."
Wellstar emailed 11Alive that it will help with the city's study:
"The City provided us notice of their intent to study the area surrounding the AMC site and we’re participating with the City’s efforts. We are committed to a thoughtful process to determine the best use for the future of this site. We continue to talk with members of the community and evaluate potential solutions. We do not currently have plans for the site and we are hopeful for a solution that benefits the community."
11Alive is working to reach the city administrators who will be leading the study.
In the meantime, Wellstar can't do anything with the property because the city's moratorium prohibits any lease, sale, or tear-down.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle contributed to this report. Read the full story here.