Reference no: EM133181486

Instructions

In 2010, the Arrowstar Hospital District (fictional) acquired a prime 20-acre parcel in your city zoned for "public, semi-public" land uses (in which a hospital qualifies). They appeared before the City Council and announced they would build a hospital on the site by 2015. In 2013, they appeared again before the City Council stating that due to changes in the healthcare industry, they would build their next hospital in a neighboring city, but still planned to build a hospital in your city in 2020. In 2020, Arrowstar had yet to make any progress toward development of a hospital. In 2021, two major retailers expressed interest in the property in order to build a "big-box" retail center on the site. A major retailer of this size would generate over $1 million in tax revenue per year for the City. However, the city manager informed the "big box" retailers that the City does not own the property and the zoning is inconsistent with retail commercial.

In early 2022, Arrowstar informed the city manager that the hospital was now planned for 2027. Arrowstar is a major regional healthcare provider with political clout. The site in question is one of the last available sites in the City for a sizeable commercial development and the tax revenue would be very beneficial. However, a hospital on the site would benefit the community as well.

It's clear that the City Council has become frustrated with Arrowstar and the delays in building the hospital. The City Council does not like the idea of turning away a large, tax generating retail development, especially since the site has sat vacant for so long. But, the City Council also knows that a hospital would be a community asset. The city manager has directed that you write a memo to him outlining a comprehensive set of options (or paths that can be pursued) that he can then present to the City Council in order for the City Council to direct staff in the next steps in the process.