SANTA MONICA: City Approves $270 Million Hospital Expansion
The Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously yesterday to "approve a $270 million reconstruction and expansion project for St. John's Health Center," the Los Angeles Times reports. Much of the project would repair damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, but the 56-year-old facility would also add on "a new 150-room hospital," and make "plans for a new health and wellness center, research facilities and 300 units of senior citizens' housing." At issue, however, is whether St. John's officials will accept four controversial amendments that were added by the city council. "Mayor Robert Holbrook warned that some of the amendments could ruin the deal and run St. John's out of town or out of business" (4/3).
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