SLCH’s Parking Garage Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

(Newburgh) - Less than one year after the groundbreaking for a multi-level parking garage on Dubois Street - opposite the Newburgh campus of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital - the community thursday celebrated the ribbon cutting for the new facility. More than 100 civic leaders and other friends of SLCH gathered for the event. The 540-space structure, which triples the number of spaces previously available in the surface lot that had been located at the site, will alleviate a parking shortage that has plagued the Newburgh campus for decades. Owned and operated by National Development Council, the $21 million garage offers convenient and secure parking, incorporates a helipad to expedite medical evacuation flights, and is designed to enhance the Dubois Street corridor. The helipad was funded in part by a $1 million grant secured with the support of Sen. Bill Larkin. Round-the-clock security includes regular patrols, 60 cameras, audio monitoring, and 10 emergency call stations.
“We’re proud to have partnered with National Development Council on this exciting project,” said Richard O’Beirne, Chair of SLCH’s Board of Trustees. “Parking at our Newburgh campus has been a challenge for more than 30 years, and the need has intensified as we’ve enhanced facilities and brought new physicians, programs and services to our community. The garage ensures our patients and visitors have convenient, secure access to our hospital and the quality care we provide.” He added, “This initiative is part of the revitalization of Newburgh, and reflects SLCH’s commitment to building not only a better hospital, but also a better place to live and work.” Speakers at the ceremony included Mr. O’Beirne, SLCH President and CEO Allan E. Atzrott, and National Development Council Senior Director and Eastern Regional Manager Daniel Marsh III. The Rev. Coleman Briggs, of New Hope Baptist Church, presided over the blessing.
The parking garage is scheduled to open to the public on November 27. An enclosed skyway connecting the garage to the hospital is expected to open in January. National Development Council, which owns and operates the garage, will charge $ .50 per half hour or a maximum of $5.00 per day for parking. SLCH will continue to offer valet service at the front entrance to the hospital for a one-time daily fee of $5.00.

Pictured Above: Participating in the ribbon-cutting were (from left): Richard J. Drake (former Chair, SLCH Board of Trustees), Todd Diorio (Business Manager, Laborers Local 17), Nicholas Valentine (Mayor, City of Newburgh), Charlie Robinson (helicopter pilot, LifeNet of New York), Richard O’Beirne (Chair, SLCH Board of Trustees), Sen. Bill Larkin, Dan Marsh (National Development Council), Allan E. Atzrott (SLCH President & CEO), and Rev. Coleman Briggs (New Hope Baptist Church).

Pictured To The Right: SLCH garage walkthrough at dusk.