Layout of proposed Einstein Montgomery development, Blue Bell, PA.

Research Findings

In January 2006, Montgomery Hospital of Norristown, PA formed a partnership with the Einstein Healthcare Network of Philadelphia. The Einstein / Montgomery Hospital Partnership wants to close the existing 210 bed hospital in Norristown and replace it with a 250 bed regional medical center on the Unisys property in Whitpain Township. Einstein may be in the process of modifying their original proposal, available here (pdf format). It shows a large, expansive, project totaling almost 1 million square feet of additional development on top of the 1 million square feet already there.

From a planning standpoint this is a terrible idea. It would:

Move a dense, urban land use to a suburban green space (the definition of sprawl).
Move health care services from those with few healthcare options to those with many healthcare options.
Diminish the quality of life in both Norristown and Whitpain.

WhitpainResidents.org, is directly concerned with the impact that a regional medical center would have on Whitpain. Please follow the links to read the results of our research. It shows that a hospital would have a negative impact on our traffic, taxes, health and safety and overall quality of life.

Update - December 12, 2006

Einstein - Montgomery Hospital has signed a letter of intent to acquire land on Alan Wood Road in Plymouth Township. Alan Wood Road is just west of the Ridge Pike interchange of the Blue Route and is home to IKEA, Home Depot and BJ's.

A letter of intent is a precursor to an agreement of sale. Its strength as a precursor can range from very weak to very strong. This one was characterized as a "serious letter of intent".

That being said, transactions of this size are complicated and can take time. The parties are hoping to reach an agreement of sale by the end of January, 2007, and will let us know if and when an agreement is reached.

From a land planning and health care provisioning standpoint, Einstein - Montgomery should be congratulated on this choice of site. If a sale is consummated, they will be in a commercial district not adjacent to any residential neighborhoods. The site is less than half a mile from one existing and one planned interstate interchanges and less than two miles from two others. If built, the new medical center will be slightly closer to Main and DeKalb Streets in Norristown than Mercy Suburban Hospital and it will be a short drive from anywhere in Whitpain.

For news coverage, please visit our media page.