The Eureka Springs Hospital Commission met Monday evening with the hope to hear some progress on where the commission stands with the current administrators, Allegiance. Chair Dr. John House provided an update stating that at the 11th hour, the commission’s attorneys received a response from the attorney for Allegiance acknowledging receipt of the commission’s request to make certain improvements.
This response halted the commission from sending Allegiance an anticipated termination letter. The response, however, was not one of kind cooperation. Instead, House said it dismissed most of the requests the commission made.
House stated that he went to ESH to see if any repairs had been performed or at least started, but saw no indications of improvements.
Commissioners decided to hire the original inspector to perform a follow-up report to document any improvements since the first report was provided. House said that at this time, the commission is “in limbo” to see if Allegiance is going to make efforts to resolve contractual shortcomings with the commission. “I think we are on a path that will lead to termination,” House stated.
Norris St. house could be put to hospital use
Commissioners then turned to the topic of 25 Norris Street, the abandoned doctor’s office near the hospital slated for sale in a public bid opening. Mayor Butch Berry spoke about how this building has fallen from grace, and that depending on the bids received, city council may consider alternative options.
“We are not in the business of being landlords,” Berry said, stressing that the city does not intend to rent the property out. Instead, council would entertain civic uses for the building if the hospital foresees employing it in their services.
Commissioners considered making improvements to the property itself for future use, and voted unanimously to submit the following request to council: “If the Council gives back the property at 25 Norris Street we will do what is necessary with the intention of using the building for future medical use.”
The next meeting agenda will include discussion on the Brown house adjacent to the hospital, purchased with the intention of destroying it for hospital expansion.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the ECHO clinic.