Dominican Modifications OK’d, $360M for Parking Garage, Surgery Center, By Jondi Gumz • Friday Night Live Presents: Youth in Action

By Jondi Gumz

On June 8, Dominican Hospital got the unanimous go-ahead from Santa Cruz County supervisors for a $360 million project to build a new surgical department and a three-story parking garage with 409 spaces.

The 222-bed hospital at 1555 Soquel Drive is the only one with an emergency room in north Santa Cruz County and staff played a key role in helping the county get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital has been using valet parking for some time to deal with the shortage of parking spaces as its facilities got busier. Before the pandemic, visitors often would circle the parking lots, hunting for a space that didn’t seem to exist.

The only issue that sparked debate was whether Dominican should pay $540,000 in traffic impact fees, the amount recommended by county

planner Nathan McBeth based on standard formulas for square footage, as the new operating rooms will total 85,000 square feet, generating an estimated new 901 vehicle trips. The end result will be 10 operating rooms; today there are eight. No patient rooms are being added, as current rooms with two beds will become single occupancy with privacy. Deidre Hamilton of Hamilton Land Planning made a case to reduce the traffic impact fee to $88,000, calling square footage a poor way to analyze impact. The hospital’s consultant projected an increase of 148 vehicle trips with an increase of 39 employees, and that a travel demand program and car pools could reduce the impact significantly. “We serve everyone, especially those who are unable to pay,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, the hospital’s president and CEO. “This is an important investment,” said Supervisor Zach Friend. Supervisor Manu Koenig called the proposed building beautiful and praised the way the planned landscaping would shield the building from the neighborhood. A rendering of a new waiting area. The project A rendering of the proposed parking garage. was designed by Devenney Group of Oakland, which specializes in health care developments.

Supervisor Ryan Coonerty proposed a compromise in which Dominican would pay $88,000, based on the hospital’s analysis and then pay an additional $250,000 as a community benefit.

However, that would leave the county Public Works Department short by some $200,000 toward planned improvements on Soquel Drive, the main access route to the hospital, to boost its rating from Level D, with wait times barely acceptable by transportation standards, to Level C, with has shorter wait times.

County Public Works chief Matt Machado has secured a $16 million state grant that requires $9 million in local matching funds, and the current budget picture is lean, with no similar-sized developments on the horizon to contribute traffic impact fees. “Without that funding, our improvements are at risk,” Coonerty conceded. Dominican also agreed to contribute about $622,000, a 43 percent share of a project to upgrade stormwater drainage. The project will start with the parking garage on Mission Drive. That will displace 140 employee parking spaces. Dominican’s solution is an agreement with Oakwood Memorial Park, the funeral home and cemetery that flanks the hospital on Paul Sweet Road, for employees to park.

Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live invites all youth entering grades 6-12 to join the annual Youth in Action Summit 2021 on July 13-14, with the theme of “Building Confidence and Embracing our Identities!”

This free, interactive networking and skill-building event is designed and led by the youth of Friday Night Live and will take place via Zoom.

Space is limited, and registration by July 12 is required at https://tinyurl.com/ YAS2021REG. Issa Bunch, youth facilitator, shared, “My absolute favorite part of our Youth in Action Summit is where every participant reflects on their experience and who made it extra special; did someone make you feel welcome, brighten your day, or made you laugh? These compliments are shared anonymously so if you get a bit nervous like me, no need to worry. I love this activity; I still keep the affirmations that were given to me; so many memories! And we are looking forward to making more memories this year, with you!”

Participants can earn community service hours, strengthen and practice new skills, make friends, and have fun! Through peer-lead games and activities, youth identify what they value, discover their unique leadership style, and learn how they can address community issues that impact them.

Participating youth are eligible to apply for an internship opportunity with the County of Santa Cruz Friday Night Live to practice the leadership skills they learned at this event and build future job skills. Community service hours and stipends are offered.