By Alex Christodoulides
The Manhattan-based Cornerstone of Medical Arts Center Hospital, which now holds a 30-year lease on the building at Union Turnpike and 79th Avenue in Flushing, met with resistance from local civic groups and CB 8 in November.Cornerstone, whose office is in Manhattan on West 57th Street, did not return calls seeking confirmation of the signing, but city Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said the plan required only state Health Department approval in order to move forward.Gennaro is “adamantly opposed” to the plan and has asked the state to reject Cornerstone's application. “The use of this site for drug treatment is entirely inconsistent with the wishes of the local community. A drug treatment facility neither serves nor enhances our community, so we don't want it. I have called upon the state Health Department, whose approval is required to site such facilities, to respect our community and deny Cornerstone's application,” he said.Kevin Forrestal, president of the Hillcrest Estates Civic Association, said that nearby Queens Hospital Center and another center called Aurora, located at 79th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard, already have drug detox programs but follow a different treatment model.The 80,000-square-foot site sits at the southern boundary of the Flushing Suburban Civic Association, which opposes the treatment facility. “It's something we do not want to see and we've made it clear to Cornerstone and elected officials at our meetings,” said Ken Cohen, the civic's president. “The community doesn't want to see two drug treatment facilities within its boundaries. We already have Aurora; we don't want another.”The St. Joseph's Hospital site was bought in 2004 by Galway Properties, a Long Island development company owned by brothers Sean and Eamon Lavin, after St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers jettisoned it in bankruptcy. Galway Properties' attorney did not return a call for comment.”I'm somewhat disappointed because we have a lot of group homes in the community but this is different. With a group home there's some interaction with the community,” but that would likely not be the case here, Cohen said.Cornerstone was to lose its Manhattan lease at the end of 2007. “I'm not sure if they extended the lease, but their desire would be to be in [Queens] before the end of their lease,” Forrestal said.Forrestal said that when CB 8 last discussed it, the building would house approximately 150 patients who would complete a combination detox and inpatient treatment program. “A good percentage of patients in [Cornerstone] are in employee assistance programs. At least that's what they're telling us,” he said.Forrestal said CB 8 Chairman Alvin Warshaviak sent a letter to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall expressing opposition to the project.As far as what the community's options are to stop project, Forrestal was uncertain. “We're getting together to regroup. I could tell you better next week,” he said.Earlier suggested uses for the building included dormitory space for Queens College or a medical office condominium complex.Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.By Alex ChristodoulidesThe owners of the St. Joseph's Hospital site inked a lease last week with a drug rehabilitation facility the community opposed at the November Community Board 8 meeting.The Manhattan-based Cornerstone of Medical Arts Center Hospital, which now holds a 30-year lease on the building at Union Turnpike and 79th Avenue in Flushing, met with resistance from local civic groups and CB 8 in November. Cornerstone, whose office is in Manhattan on West 57th Street, did not return calls seeking confirmation of the signing, but City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said the plan required only state Health Department approval in order to move forward.Gennaro is “adamantly opposed” to the plan and has asked the state to reject Cornerstone's application. “The use of this site for drug treatment is entirely inconsistent with the wishes of the local community. A drug treatment facility neither serves nor enhances our community, so we don't want it. I have called upon the state Health Department, whose approval is required to site such facilities, to respect our community and deny Cornerstone's application,” he said.Kevin Forrestal, president of the Hillcrest Estates Civic Association, said that nearby Queens Hospital Center and another facility called Aurora, located at 79th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard, already have drug programs but follow a different treatment model.The 80,000-square-foot site sits at the southern boundary of the Flushing Suburban Civic Association, which opposes the treatment facility. “It's something we do not want to see and we've made it clear to Cornerstone and elected officials at our meetings,” said Ken Cohen, the civic's president. “The community doesn't want to see two drug treatment facilities within its boundaries. We already have Aurora; we don't want another.”The St. Joseph's Hospital site was bought in 2004 by Galway Properties, a Long Island development company owned by brothers Sean and Eamon Lavin, after St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers jettisoned it in bankruptcy. Galway Properties' attorney did not return a call for comment.”I'm somewhat disappointed because we have a lot of group homes in the community but this is different. With a group home there's some interaction with the community,” but that would likely not be the case here, Cohen said.Cornerstone was to lose its Manhattan lease at the end of 2007. “I'm not sure if they extended the lease, but their desire would be to be in [Queens] before the end of their lease,” Forrestal said.Forrestal said that when CB 8 last discussed it, the building would house approximately 150 patients who would complete a combination detox and inpatient treatment program. “A good percentage of patients in [Cornerstone] are in employee assistance programs. At least that's what they're telling us,” he said.Forrestal said CB 8 Chairman Alvin Warshaviak sent a letter to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall expressing opposition to the project.As far as what the community's options are to stop project, Forrestal was uncertain. “We're getting together to regroup. I could tell you better next week,” he said.Earlier suggested uses for the building included dormitory space for Queens College or a medical office condominium complex.Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
