Stairway could help integrate $20M Women’s Center with Midtown neighborhood

A proposed external stairway on the south side of the parking ramp for the soon-to-be built Women’s Health Center of West Michigan is substantially more costly to construct than originally thought. The slope cannot be re-graded due to its steepness and close proximity to nearby residential property, so expensive retaining walls are required.

But neighborhood residents want the property owner to keep the stairway.

Midtown Neighborhood Association representatives Kelly Otto and Duane DeRoo spoke to the City Planning Commission on January 11 citing resident and pedestrian safety as a primary reason to keep the stairway. Benson Avenue is blocked off at the I-96 expressway, just north of the parking ramp. Without the stairway, persons along that section of the street could find themselves “locked in” in the event of an emergency, Otto said.

Another factor, DeRoo said, is that the stairway helps integrate Midtowne Village into the neighborhood.

“One of the things we thought was important was to have a connection between the neighborhood and the Women’s Health Center,” said Richard Craig of Craig Architects, designers of the Women’s Health Center. “It’s apparent that the neighborhood feels it’s important to keep [the stairway]. We weren’t sure if they wanted it, or not, and this was the way to find out.”

The matter was tabled until more of the neighboring residents could be properly notified of the hearing; only a portion were notified of the January 11 meeting due to an administrative error. Craig isn’t sure if the property owner, Michael Garrett, will pursue the matter further.

The Women’s Health Center will have four floors and 100,000 square feet of medical services dedicated to women’s health. Four OB/GYN practices will occupy one of the floors.

Other services will include a pharmacy, a wig shop specializing in services for women with hair loss resulting from chemotherapy or other medical causes, help for nursing mothers, an In Vitro fertilization clinic, physical rehabilitation services, X-ray services, and a medical lab.

The Center is at 60-65% capacity, with an expected completion date of summer 2008. Midtown Developers LLC is the developer. Pinnacle Construction is handling construction.

Source: Richard Craig, Craig Architects, Inc.